9 Signs That You Are Taking Risky But Deliberately

They will give you confidence that you will cope with unforeseen difficulties and continue to move towards your goal.




Every success in life requires a certain amount of risk. There are no achievements without getting out of the comfort zone, without decisions, the result of which cannot be predicted with absolute probability. However, there is a fundamental difference between reckless adventurism and deliberate risk taking. The former often leads to failure, the latter opens doors to new opportunities and personal growth.
How do you know that your risky actions are based on sound analysis and calculation, and not on impulse? How do you make sure you are prepared for possible difficulties along the way? In this article, we will look at nine key signs that will help determine whether you are acting riskyly, but also deliberately.

Deliberate risk is not the absence of fear, but the conscious overcoming of fear with the help of preparation, analysis and personal resources.


1. You carefully analyzed all available data.
The first and most obvious sign of deliberate risk is a thorough analysis of the available information. Unlike impulsive decisions made on emotional upliftment, deliberate risk is always based on facts and data.
Key aspects of qualitative analysis include:

• Collecting relevant information from reliable sources
• Critical assessment of data reliability
• Taking into account different perspectives and points of view
• Analyzing previous experiences (of oneself and others) in similar situations

According to a study published in the Journal of Risk Research, people who spend at least 40% of their decision time analyzing information are 62% more likely to achieve successful results in risky ventures.

2. You have a clear plan of action and a plan B.
Risk is always accompanied by a structured plan of action. This doesn’t mean you’ve predicted every possible turn of events, but you have a clear idea of the sequence of steps and the resources you need.
Even more important is having a plan B – and perhaps even plans B and G. Strategic thinking involves being prepared for different scenarios, including the least favorable ones.
“There is no wind that is favorable to a ship sailing nowhere.” Lucius Anneus Seneca


Components of an effective contingency plan:

• Identification of critical points where strategy changes may be required
• Preparation of alternative solutions for the most likely problems
• Creating a buffer of resources (temporary, financial, energy)
• Definition of “exit point” – when to recognize failure and minimize losses

3. You've assessed potential losses and are prepared for them.
Considered risk always involves a sober assessment of possible negative consequences. You determined in advance what you would lose if you failed, and you mentally prepared for that outcome.
This includes:

• Financial losses (determining the maximum amount you are willing to lose)
• Time spent (how much time you are willing to invest without guaranteeing results)
• Emotional and psychological costs (possible stress, frustration)
• Reputational risks (how failure can affect your position in a professional or social environment)

The wisdom of deliberate risk lies not in the absence of loss, but in the conscious acceptance of loss: you never risk anything that would be a disaster.


4. Are you confident in your skills or have experts
Considered risk is based on an adequate assessment of their own capabilities. You clearly understand what skills and knowledge are required for the successful implementation of your plan, and either possess them or attract the appropriate specialists.
Research in decision-making shows that people often overestimate their competencies, a phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. Considered risk involves taking a critical look at one’s own abilities and a willingness to recognize areas where additional training or assistance is needed.
Strategies for strengthening this dimension:

• Regular training in relevant fields
• Creating a network of professional contacts that you can turn to for advice
• Willingness to invest in specialist advice
• Practice as close to reality as possible

5. You know your motivation and your purpose.
Deliberate risk always has a clear purpose and deep motivation. You understand why you take this risk and the value a successful outcome will bring. This is critical to maintaining motivation when faced with unavoidable challenges.
Psychologists who study the behavior of people in situations of uncertainty, note that a clear understanding of their motives significantly increases psychological stability and the likelihood of achieving a goal.
“He who has a why to live can endure almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

To reinforce this aspect, it is helpful to ask yourself a few questions:

• Why is this goal important to me personally?
• How does achieving this goal relate to my core values?
• What happens if I don’t take this risky action?
• Will I be sorry in 5-10 years if I don’t try?

6. You set clear criteria for success and failure.
With deliberate risk, there are always predetermined criteria by which you can evaluate the results. This protects against two common pitfalls: premature abandonment of a promising direction and endless investment of resources in a hopeless enterprise.
These criteria should be:

• Specific and measurable
• Time-bound
• Realistic, but ambitious enough.
• Flexible, with the ability to adjust when significant factors change

According to research in the field of behavioral economics, the presence of clear criteria for evaluation increases the likelihood of successful exit from risky projects by 47%, minimizing losses from unsuccessful events.

7. You have learned to manage your emotions in stressful situations.

Deliberate risk is inextricably linked to emotional intelligence and the ability to maintain clarity in stressful situations. Unavoidable difficulties and unforeseen circumstances will test your psychological resilience.
Neuroscience studies show that severe stress activates the limbic system of the brain responsible for emotional responses and limits the functions of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational thinking. That’s why managing your emotional responses is critical to making quality decisions in the face of uncertainty.
Effective emotional regulation practices include:

• Regular meditation and breathing exercises
• Keeping a diary for reflection and awareness of emotional patterns
• Cognitive reassessment techniques (changing the interpretation of a situation)
• Physical activity to reduce stress levels

Emotional maturity in the context of risk is not the absence of fear or doubt, but the ability to act rationally in spite of it.


8. You are willing to learn from your mistakes.
Deliberate risk involves a willingness to learn from failure and adjust your approach based on experience. This is what psychologists call a growth mindset – the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and experience.
According to research by Stanford University psychology professor Carol Dweck, people with a growth orientation achieve better results in the long run, especially in areas related to uncertainty and the need to overcome obstacles.
Practical aspects of this approach include:

• Regular analysis of the results of their actions (successful and unsuccessful)
• Documentation of lessons learned
• Implementing adjustments in the following iterations
• Perceiving mistakes as valuable sources of information, not personal failures

“I didn't lose. I just found 10,000 ways that don’t work. – Thomas Edison


9. You created a supportive environment.
The last, but not least, sign of deliberate risk is social support. Studies show that people who have a supportive social network show higher resilience in the face of difficulties and recover faster from failure.
The supportive environment can take various forms:

• A mentor or mentor with experience in the relevant field
• Those who follow a similar path
• Professional communities for sharing experiences
• People who provide emotional support

It is important to remember that the quality of support is more important than the number of contacts. Even a small group of people who truly understand your goals and share your values can provide the necessary support during difficult times.

Conclusion: From Risk to Conscious Achievement
Deliberate risk is not the opposite of caution, but its evolution. It is the ability to act under uncertainty, relying on careful analysis, preparation and personal resources.
These nine attributes provide a solid foundation for risky but potentially high-impact actions. They do not guarantee success – there are no absolute guarantees in the risk zone by definition – but they significantly increase your chances and, equally important, minimize the possible negative consequences.
Remember, great accomplishments rarely happen in comfort and predictability. The ability to take risks deliberately is a skill that can and should be developed by those who strive for outstanding results and full self-realization.
Deliberate risk is the bridge between dreams and their realization, between potential and its realization.



Glossary
Risk management
The process of making and implementing management decisions aimed at reducing the likelihood of adverse results and minimizing possible losses.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Metacognitive distortion, a cognitive distortion that occurs when people with low qualifications make erroneous conclusions, make poor decisions, and are unable to recognize their mistakes due to their low skill level.
Growth orientation (growth mindset)
The belief that human abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, good strategies, and receiving help from others. Contrary to fixed thinking (fixed mindset).
Emotional intelligence
A person’s ability to recognize emotions, understand the intentions, motivations and desires of others and their own, and manage their own and others’ emotions in order to solve practical problems.
Cognitive reassessment
An emotion regulation strategy that involves changing how a person thinks about a situation to change their emotional response to it.
limbic system
The totality of brain structures located on both sides of the thalamus, directly under the cerebral cortex. It plays an important role in the formation of emotions, memory and autonomic reactions of the body.
Prefrontal cortex
The part of the frontal lobes of the brain responsible for planning complex cognitive behavior, making decisions and regulating social behavior.