Choose Possibility
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
20 min
8 Key Points
4.6 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the power of risk-taking and learn how to leverage failure into success, paving the way for personal and professional growth.
You'll learn
1. Why taking risks can be a game-changer2. Beating the fear of messing up3. Learning from your boo-boos4. Small risks, big rewards5. Making smarter choices6. Thinking big and growing bigger.Key points
01Risk-taking: Jumping into the unknown, no guarantees
Taking a risk is like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to dive into the sea. You don't know what's waiting for you below - it could be an exhilarating swim or a dangerous encounter with hidden rocks. That's the thrill and the challenge of risk-taking - you're jumping into the unknown, with no guarantees of what's to come. Now, you might think that taking a risk is about making huge, life-altering decisions that could either make you a hero or a zero. That's a myth that can make the idea of risk-taking seem scary and overwhelming. But let's bust that myth right now. Risk-taking isn't about making one giant leap into the unknown. It's about making a series of decisions, both big and small, over time. Each decision, whether it leads to a win or a loss, teaches us something valuable and shapes our future choices. Let's take the example of a young entrepreneur starting her own business. That's a big risk, right? There's no guarantee of success. But instead of seeing it as one massive, all-or-nothing decision, she views it as a series of smaller risks - finding investors, hiring a team, launching products, and so on. Each of these decisions carries its own set of risks and rewards, and each one offers valuable lessons for the future. So, risk-taking becomes a journey of continuous learning and growth. Even when we stumble and fall, we gain valuable insights and experiences that can help us bounce back stronger. That's the beauty of embracing risk-taking - it opens up a world of possibilities and opportunities for personal and professional growth. In a nutshell, risk-taking isn't about making one big, scary leap into the unknown. It's about making a series of decisions, big and small, that open up new paths and possibilities. By adopting this approach to risk-taking, we can learn, grow, and thrive, even when we face bumps and setbacks along the way.
02Want the best in life? Take some risks
Sometimes, the best things in life come from taking risks. This isn't about making one huge, life-changing decision, but rather a series of smaller choices that add up over time. This idea challenges the common belief that success comes from one big, monumental action. Instead, it's often the result of many smaller risks taken over time. Let's take a look at the author's own journey to illustrate this point. Back in 1992, when she was just 22, she graduated with a business degree. Many of her classmates had already landed jobs at big-name investment banking and consulting firms. But she had chosen to study abroad and missed the on-campus recruiting season. This was a risk, as she missed out on the immediate job opportunities that her classmates had. When she came back, she found herself applying to these big firms, dreaming about the life-changing job offer she hoped to get. But reality didn't match her expectations. She didn't get the job offer from a top-tier firm that she had hoped for. This could have been seen as a failure, a risk that didn't pay off. But she didn't let this stop her. She kept taking risks and grabbing opportunities that came her way. Each of these decisions, each of these risks, were steps on her journey to success. They weren't huge, life-altering decisions, but rather a series of smaller choices that collectively led her to where she is today. This story shows that success isn't always the result of one big decision or risk. It's often the result of many smaller risks taken over time. Each risk, each decision, is a step on the path to success. Even when these risks don't pay off as expected, they're not failures, but rather opportunities for growth and learning. So, the idea that "sometimes to get the best in life, you have to take risks" isn't about making one big, life-altering decision. It's about making a series of smaller decisions, taking a series of smaller risks, and learning and growing from each one. It's about choosing possibility, even when the outcome is uncertain.
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03Don't wait for the perfect moment, grab opportunities
04When risking, people matter more than money
05You're part of a team, just do your bit
06Big risk doesn't always mean big reward
07Want to win the war? Focus on every battle
08Conclusion
About Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy is a renowned technology executive and entrepreneur, having held leadership roles at companies like Google and Amazon. She's the founder of theBoardlist, a platform promoting female leadership. Her extensive experience in risk-taking and decision-making in business inspired her to write "Choose Possibility."
