Taking Risks

Taking Risks


What risks have you taken in your life? Do you like to take risks or do you prefer stay in your comfort zone? How much adventure do you have in your life? Do you have enough adventure or would you like to have more?

Last week, I met up with two ex-work colleagues / good friends in London. We used to work for the same company in Central London, Diageo Plc, the world's leading premium drinks company. Eleven years on, my one friend still works for Diageo, she has excelled in her career and now heads a global function. My other friend used to be my boss and left Diageo about the same time as me. She has written and authored a book, is in the process of publishing her second book and works as a Director for a Human Resources Consulting Company. My friends have done well for themselves and yet they look at me as the daring one and wish they could take risks like me!

"You have taken such a risk, we could have never done that. You are so brave," my friends both agreed.

I presumed they meant I was brave because of moving my family to one country and running our talent search and development company, NoLimits, in another country.

"Either brave or completely crazy." I sighed thinking of the challenges I had encountered by moving to Bali.

After meeting up with my friends, I couldn't help but wonder where I would be now if I would have carried on working and living in London. I would have been very comfortable no doubt, but I know I would be wondering what else was out there and craving for some adventure as this is something that I personally value. As I pondered to myself, I decided to pop into Hatchard's, along Piccadilly, the oldest surviving bookshop in London that dates back to 1797. A quote which was typed in bold, on a laminated sheet of A4 paper and perched on top of a number of books, quickly re-affirmed how I like to live life and why I have taken a risk:-

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was an American author, political activist, speaker and lecturer. Her triumphs over adversity led her to become a role model to millions of people..

The risks we take don't have to involve doing something drastic. They can involve doing something different, especially if we feel we want to do something but don't have the courage.

"Man cannot discover new oceans, unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." Andre Gide (1869-1951) 

It's never too late to take risks, no matter how large or small and live life as a daring adventure. It's never too late to discover new oceans.



Find out more how NoLimits helps individuals and companies overcome limits and take risks that are in line with personal and organisational values.

Janet