"Making It Make Sense" (SM) with Dr. Pamela Brewer
EIGHT SUGGESTIONS
FOR RISK MANAGEMENT
When To Take A Risk And How To Think About Risk Taking
by Pamela Brewer, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW-C
Yes, it's true. Taking risks can be risky business! But that does not mean that it should not be your business. Risk taking is often the stuff of which productive human passion is made. The first time you went to school by yourself - you were taking a risk. The last relationship you chose - you took a risk, the last suit you bought - a risk, the last book you read .... Life is a series of risks and perhaps that is not so bad.
RISK PLANNING...
Ask yourself the following questions. Be patient with yourself as you take the time to answer honestly. Remember that life is a series of risks and the question is...are you willing to risk the consequences of NOT taking the risk?
WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC RISK YOU ARE CONSIDERING?
WHAT CAN YOU GAIN IF YOU TAKE THE RISK?
WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL?
WHAT CAN YOU LOSE IF YOU TAKE THE RISK?
WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THIS WILL HAPPEN?
WHAT CAN YOU GAIN IF THINGS REMAIN AS THEY ARE?
WHAT IS THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO?
WHAT CAN YOU LOSE IF YOU DO NOT TAKE THE RISK?
RISKS THAT MIGHT BE WORTH TAKING...
SETTING A LIMIT WITH YOUR BOSS
SETTING A LIMIT WITH YOUR CO-WORKER
SETTING A LIMIT WITH YOUR PARTNER
SETTING A LIMIT WITH YOUR FRIEND
SETTING A LIMIT WITH YOUR CHILDREN
CHANGING YOUR EMPLOYMENT
TAKING A CLASS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT HOBBY YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY
RIGHTING A WRONG...
RISKS THAT MAY NOT BE WISE TO TAKE BUYING SOMETHING ON THE THEORY THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT SOON
IGNORING A WRONG IN THE HOPES THAT THE PERSON WILL SOMEONE KNOW A WRONG WAS COMMITTED
COMMITTING TO A RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU HOPE WILL BEGIN TO WORK OUT LATER
IGNORING AN ILLNESS IN THE HOPES THAT IT WILL HEAL ITSELF
OVER COMMITTING YOUR TIME IN THE HOPES THAT "SOMEHOW" YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MANAGE
LYING TO YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT YOUR OR SOMEONE ELSE'S BEHAVIOR
There are positive and negative consequences to every behavior. Doing nothing if sometimes as risky as doing something!