• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

Taking risks

Taking Worthwhile Risks

August 16, 2014 by The Inside Press

AerialistsHC1307_X_300_C_YBy Randi J. Brosterman

Safety rules–driving safely, behaving safely, and exercising appropriate caution are all necessary for our survival.   So here’s the question: Can risk taking be a good thing? Certainly, thoughtfulness and preparedness are needed, and a willingness to seize the 
moment when opportunity comes knocking.

In my first job out of college, I was miserable. Working until 11 p.m. daily, the window of time between my work clothes and my pajamas got smaller and smaller, until there was no time for my blue jeans in between. I quit my job without another job in hand, thinking that at age 24, I needed to have enough guts to go find another job on my own. I was gainfully and happily employed within three months.

Later, in the spring of 1987, I interviewed for a summer job between my two years of MBA education. Although I was well qualified, the interviewer told me she had no positions available. I said, “Well, you have my resume, I have your card…if you sell a big project this summer, call me.” As I was walking out of her office, I turned to her and said, “The risk you run in not hiring me is your competition will.” I’m not sure where I got the chutzpah at age 26 to say something so brash, but she called me back the next day; she had created a summer position for me.

At about the same time in my life, on the personal front, I learned to scuba dive, traveled alone to Southeast Asia and entered into long-term relationship. Each of these choices felt risky and scary, but pushing through my fear enabled me to establish some of the most satisfying aspects of my life.

Nine years later, I was presented with the opportunity to move to a start-up, mid-market business within my firm. I had only one requirement, which I was not shy about voicing. I wanted to know if I would have an opportunity to become a partner. It was the best career move I ever made

Leadership experts I’ve long admired often liken risk-taking to a trapeze act –you don’t have an act unless you are willing to let go of the bar! Over time, I’ve learned to live by these words.

We live in a town where safety is our overriding concern. As the 2014 HGHS class Salutatorian shared at this year’s commencement, “We are among the most privileged people on the planet…we live in a bubble.”

So how do we begin to think about moving out of our comfort zone, when safety is our overriding concern? What are healthy risks, that don’t compromise our safety, yet help to move us forward to new places?

As I learned from my statistics professor in college, there is a clear difference between a risk and a gamble. A risk is something you can assess, assign probabilities to outcomes, and calculate an expected result. A gamble has none of these attributes.

Taking risks can involve travelling to new places, changing professions, or walking away from an unhealthy relationship. Taking risks involves self-empowerment to try something new, to speak out, rather than be silent, to choose constructive action, instead of settling for passivity.

Self-empowerment to pursue one’s passion has the potential to result in true happiness. Optimism and constructive risk taking can be healthy and fun. So here are a few guiding principles that have worked for me and might resonate with you:

  1.  Desired outcome. Envision what you would like the outcome to be.
  2. Preparation. Do your homework, come to situations prepared.
  3. Stretch zone. Be willing to move out of your comfort zone.
  4. Self-empowerment. Move past the fear: be brave.
  5. Letting go. Be willing to let go of the bar.

I recently decided to retire from the firm where I was a partner for 15 of 26 years. At 55 years old, I have once again decided to let go of the bar. Risk taking at this time of life has a whole new resonance for me. There is still plenty of fear mixed with a world of excitement. While I’ve had a great career to date, I’m looking forward to the next chapter.

My experience taking risks in life and in the business world has consistently led to new and interesting opportunities. Looking back, I take great pride in these moments, which ultimately led to greater happiness for me, personally and professionally.

Randi Brosterman is a local resident who seeks to inspire leadership in women through self-empowerment.

Filed Under: Et Cetera Tagged With: safety, Taking risks

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Over 350 Students From 31 Schools Attend 21st Annual Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center High School Institute at Iona University
  • Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team Wins State Championship Title Second Year in a Row
  • Chabad Center Invitation to a Community Passover Seder: “Don’t Pass Over Passover!”
  • New Castle Fire District No. 1 Announces Bond Referendum to be Held April 25
  • Don’t Resist JUST DESSERTS at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center April 28-30
  • When There’s A Dog in Your Life

Please Visit

Chappaqua School Foundation
White Plains Hospital
William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Westchester Table Tennis
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Armonk Tennis Club
Raveis: Stacey Sporn
Compass: Natalia Wixom
Stacee Massoni
Raveis: Grace Lobello
Temple Beth El
Amy Singer – Houlihan Lawrence
Arbonne: Jill Kay
Briarcliff Manor Dentist – Allan Miller
Houlihan: Tara Seigel
Eye Designs of Armonk

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in