Is Doing Everything "Right" The Biggest Risk?

Risk used to be a scary word for a lot of people. But one thing the past year and a half has shown us is that, sometimes, staying right where you are is the biggest risk you can take.

2020 reminded us all that the things we find security in can be taken away quickly, and when they are, you are left with uncertainty.

Everyone has had to shift in some way since early 2020; some had to find new work, others had to adjust child care and schooling, and yet others made conscious decisions to use this ‘upheaval’ to address some things they have needed or wanted to change for a long time, but had no real motivation, reason, or push to get it done.

While many are working on regaining their footing to get back to a sense of normalcy, the group of people who are emerging from the chaos stronger than ever have something in common - they were in control. What I mean by that is their ‘security’ wasn’t dependent upon someone else; it was dependent on them.

These people shared some common situations:

• Instead of ‘having’ a job, they had created their own job
• They set themselves up so they were able to shift instead of having to shift when everything went haywire
• Instead of being at the whim of situations and other people, they were control of what happened in their own life

How did they do this?

They took some risks, that’s how. They took the road less traveled by creating a side gig, building multiple streams of income by offering a diverse array of products or services, or looking for opportunities to build a team of their own. And, as risks often do, those risks open opportunities when uncertainty rears its frightening head.

What used to seem unconventional is now, for many, the very thing that gives them a feeling of stability in an uncertain world.

Is it time to rethink how you look at work, opportunity, and taking control of your life? If you can do “everything right” and still be impacted by things out of your control, why would you not take some risks? Whether you were dealt a pair of twos or a straight flush, what can you do with it?

While these are not for everyone, taking a different look at how you can take control of your work can help you to play the hand you get dealt in challenging times like a pro. Here are some ways to do that.

Learn more about you

What do you do well? Now, what do you do well that you also enjoy doing? What do people regularly come to you for? Are you a good listener? Can you sew anything? When people see you doodle on a notepad, are they always commenting on what a great artist you are?

We take our talents for granted without realizing that others value that talent and will pay you for it! Give yourself permission to offer what you do well (and enjoy doing) as a service. Do some homework on what that would look like, what going rates are, and then put yourself out there. Creating a side gig of your own is easy to do - if you give yourself permission to just do it! It is not uncommon these days for a side-hustle to turn into a full business or replacement income.

Learn about how to market yourself

You don’t need a marketing degree to attract clients. Most people are more proficient on social media than they give themselves credit for. Why that’s important to know is that you probably already have all the knowledge you need to get started! Don’t overthink this by getting bogged down in thinking about FaceBook Ads, Google Ads, A/B testing and analytics. Those are things that can be used (if you want to use them) down the line. You do not need those things to start having people pay you for your product or service.

Begin by simply sharing tips, tools, or tricks about how to do something effectively or easily. Record yourself in a short video to actually show people how to do something and share it. As you become consistent with sharing what you know and how you can help someone else do it too, you will begin to see more likes, shares, and comments on your posts. Sharing relevant information about how to make someone’s life better or their job easier will help others who are looking for that service or product find you. Don’t “sell,” share.

Keep adaptability front of mind

A way to stay ahead of the chaos is to learn to adapt better. When masks were first mandated everywhere, there was a sudden demand for masks. At first, people were looking for N-95 masks, but then, as things started opening back up, more fashionable masks became a thing. A seamstress I knew made a choice that not only saved her business, but kept it thriving during a difficult time. If she had made the decision to keep sewing and altering clothing, she would have gone out of business. After all, there wasn’t much call for tailoring suits when the world was at home in their sweatpants and t-shirts. Instead, she adapted. Her skill could also be used to create the very things that were suddenly in high demand. She put her tailoring to the side and immediately began sewing masks. She opened an Etsy store and began sharing her creations. She educated herself a bit on things like keywords, knowing that people would be hopping onto Google and searching things like “masks,” “custom masks,” “fun masks,” “animal masks,” etc. She got materials with everything from puppies to football to camouflage to watermelons and began sewing masks.

Not only is she still in business today, but she has added a new stream of income that she never would have thought about had she not been paying attention and willing to adapt.

In 2008, educator Randy Pausch delivered his now-famous "last lecture" at Carnegie Mellon University after learning of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.? As he offered his thoughts on dying, he said, “You can't control the cards you're dealt, just how you play the hand.” He said this knowing he only had months to live. The reason he said it was to remind those who have a lot more time than he did that our dreams and abilities must play an active role in the lives we lead. Taking control by taking risks is sometimes what makes life worth living, and it is definitely what brings value into the world.