The ABCs of risk-taking

One of the reasons we admire people who take risks is that most of us are scared stiff at the prospect of taking risks ourselves. "I could never do something like that," we say. The "something" we could never do might be anything from starting a new career to learning how to cook something. Sometimes it seems that the only people who can take risks successfully are the people who have nothing to lose.

You have to go out on a limb at times — but not so far that you fall off. To help you in these perilous times, I've come up with my ABCs of risk-taking:

A is for apprehension. Taking a large or small risk comes with a degree of apprehension.

B is for bravery. Afraid to try something new? Most people are.

C is for challenging. Don't be afraid to take calculated risks. If you win, you will be happy. If you lose, you will be wise.

D is for differentiator. Some risks can make or break your business.

E is for enterprising. Thinking outside the box to find the information you need or to get the project accomplished is one trait I admire in people.

G is for genius. Recognizing a genius idea is one of the traits of serious risk-takers.

H is for healthy. Approach risk with a healthy skepticism, then assess the real hazards and benefits to reach a path to fulfillment.

I is for inherent. From taking your first step to investing your life savings in a new venture, nearly every activity we undertake in our lives involves taking risks.

J is for jealousy. Never take a risk out of envy for another's accomplishments, because it will end in disaster. Instead, study their success and learn how they did it.

K is for knock it out of the park. You can't hit a home run unless you take a swing.

M is for mission. A clearly defined mission makes managing risk much easier.

N is for nerve. Risk-taking often requires nerves of steel to face the inevitable challenges and failures involved.

O is for originality. Hanging around with creative people helps you understand different ways of looking at the world and stimulates more original ideas.

P is for possibilities. When you see what is possible, you are more inclined to take a risk that will pay off.

Q is for quit. Quit complaining, quit dragging your feet, quit talking yourself out of what could be a fabulous opportunity because you are afraid to take a risk.

S is for stepping out of your comfort zone. No risk, no success.

T is for turtles. A turtle only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.

U is for undaunted. Understand that failure will happen. There will be some pain and failure. It's part of life.

V is for visionaries because risk-takers don't see things as they really are. Visionaries exercise a lot more control over the outcome of events.

W is for willpower, which keeps people hammering away. Determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances.

Y is for yes, you can. When others say no you can't, but you see a better way forward, ignore the naysayers.

Z is for zinger. When you get a zinger of an idea, zero in on making it happen.

Mackay's Moral: Sometimes it's risky not to take a risk.