Risks and Rewards

I can’t imagine being an ER surgeon. People would come to me when they needed me most and I’d be expected to deliver. Though I’d rely on my training I’d hope that my judgment was correct. But if I made a mistake then a patient could lose her life.

Everyone assumes some level of risk throughout life. Every relationship, organization, career, and hobby is accompanied by risk. Opening up your heart to someone’s delicate hold is a chance most of us take. Assuming leadership and responsibility in our careers is a challenge to which some of us aspire. Taking on a hobby that may cause physical harm is something that a few of us choose to explore.

There’s also some general feeling that the greater the risk, the greater the potential reward. When you give years of your life to a loved one you have the potential to spend the rest of your life with someone who shares your interests, and maybe even raise a family. When you take a chance and assume a great deal of responsibility at work, people are going to point to you if your work pays off. And it’s not a stretch to see the thrill of activities like skiing and skydiving.

Unfortunately, along with risk comes the possibility of failure. When you lose a loved one you have to pick up the pieces and start that part of your life all over again. When you fail on a project then people likely won’t forget it, and you probably won’t get paid. And if you fall on the ski slopes you may never recover.

I’m pretty scared right now that I took on something that I can’t complete. And if I lose this I may lose my biggest client. Arguably it’s not my fault as I passed the responsibility on to someone else and they’re not coming through. But I’m assuming a far greater risk than they are. I’m the point of contact to my client.

I guess everyone makes big mistakes. And I suppose it lets you evaluate what level of risk you’re really ready to take upon yourself. Some choose to stay out of the dating scene, at least for a while. Some assume jobs where they’re not responsible for others. And some are more conservative in their choice of activities.

There’s no question that I tend to take on a lot of responsibility. For the most part I succeed but as my company grows I have to find out how much I can take on before I end up in a position doomed to failure. That’s not to say that I’d have too much work, it’s more that one needs to be careful in the things they choose to take on and for whom.

I think I need to step back a little and be more conservative. I also have to decide what comes of those that don’t come through for me. This is me, stepping out into the business world. My girlfriend is patient with me while I learn and grow, but I don’t know that I should expect the same from my clients.