High Risk -- the space between success and failure

When you dive into a high-risk goal, you run the risk of ending up in one of two directions -- fabulous success, or pitiful failure. These two end results are what prevents most of us from taking action. We picture our wealth and riches or we see ourselves sitting in a cardboard box if we were to actually jump into that entrepreneurial idea.

For my clients who deal with risk on a regular basis, financial traders, brokers, actors, entrepreneurs, it can be a life-shortening, heart-pounding, wrinkle-inducing battle between celebration and depression, debt and failure. 

So how does one navigating the highs and lows while staying sane? Try these tips

1) Understand the worst case scenario -- the most important thing is whether you can deal with it emotionally. If you're strong enough to do that, you can figure out the logistics of making the rest happen. Can you handle the emotional risk? What would you need to do to become stronger? Or is another path your best option?

2) Find the space between -- picture both ends of possibility and see yourself grounded, calmly between them, understanding that you will stay yourself and will not lose your confidence or clarity of mind regardless of the outcome.

3) Don't attach -- when you grab hold of an outcome it can feel like the world is shattering if it suddenly dissolves. Don't cling on to eggs that haven't hatched and instead remain free and not attached to your outcome. Other pathways may present themselves before your initial plan succeeds and you need to remain flexible to change directions or re-access at any time. Expect success but remain grounded in a calm state of "not attached." Remember that whether money pours in, or if temporary roadblocks appear, you will succeed in the end either way.

4) Reduce stress -- a little excitement is great for stimulating your mind, ambition and energy-level, but too much will strip you of concentration, joy and ability to continue on. Work out every day to keep your stress level in the healthy range, medidate, do yoga, listen to Theta-wave meditations on You Tube, or anything you need to do to feel better and more centered. 

5) Rid your life of negativity -- when you are undertaking something with high-risk, remaining focused depends on your ability to stay positive, despite "the world is ending" co-workers, friends, family and media. Strip away the sources of positivity drain and you'll function at a much higher level. If the constant announcement of "the economy is going to ruin you" is bugging you, turn off the TV, stop checking news updates online and tell your friends who are screaming into their cell phones to leave you alone. Create a calm space in which to create your own success. 

6) Power of choice -- a client of mine was very stressed by the market -- obviously, right? I asked what percentage was still in his control, in regards to succeeding in his life plans, making money and carving out the life he wanted. He said 80 percent. Get a good handle on the amount of control you actually have. For most people who live in free nations, are healthy and not on drugs, the percentage is very high. There is always power to choose something new, regardless of what the herd is doing. If it helps, visualize yourself white water rafting, crashing into rocks and calmly pulling yourself back into your boat and sailing on...all the while trusting that you'll know exactly what to do when each obstacle presents itself. 

7) Believe in your vision -- regardless of what risk is possible, don't lose sight of your vision. When you feel most stressed ask yourself "why am I doing this? What is it I really want?" Keeping your ultimate dreams close at hand -- maybe scribbled on a piece of paper in your pocket, perhaps set as your phone alarm, or even emailed to yourself, will help you understand that the stress in your life is there to propel you towards what you want, not just to torture you. 

http://www.yourdreamslifecoach.com

Find out more about Life Coaching. I'm a NYC Certified Life Coach serving professional, ambitious clients.