Evaluating Risk

Evaluating Risk

Being a student isn't always thought of as being a particularly risky position. And while most students don't live a life that is all that perilous, everyone takes critical risks that affect their life everyday. Many of the risks we take affect our future and ultimately the success that one may see in his or her lifetime. Truthfully, life itself is a risk. Regarding risk, there are two reasons why people never see great success in their lifetime. Many people don't succeed because they are afraid to take the risks that will lead them to success. On the other hand, some people don't ever see success because they take all of the wrong risks. But what drives us to take these risks? When do you know if a risk is an appropriate one to take? Ray Bradbury once said, "Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down." However, risk does not always have to be this scary, frightening idea. Throughout the course of one's life, a person must develop strategies to make informed decision about risk, rather than blindly making impactful choices that will affect their future.

First off, it is critical to understand why risk is so crucial in a society that is obsessive about security. People in the modern world buy every kind of insurance imaginable, from life insurance to insurance on technology. People would only ever think of buying food for their family that has safety seals on it to insure it has not been tampered with. The list goes on and on of various securities that people feel are a necessity to barricade against the fear of what if. By taking appropriate risks, people can separate themselves from the rest of society, and are able to reach success that many others cannot. In order to take appropriate risks, I have used a four point framework to determine if a given risk is acceptable, simply by asking four questions.

What is the best possible outcome of taking this risk?

What is the worst possible outcome of taking this risk?

What is the best possible outcome if I do not take this risk?

What is the worst possible outcome if I do not take this risk?

Asking yourself these four simple questions is immensely valuable when deciding whether or not to risk. If nothing else, asking these questions assures that one has logically thought about the different outcomes of any given risk, and is informed enough to make an intelligent decision. It is important to know however, that in order to use this technique effectively, one must know their own values and morals. Therefore, this technique will not always have the same outcome for the same risks, depending on the person making the decisions. The outcome will be largely determined by what is important to the individual.

Recently I evaluated a risk that made a substantial change in my life. Ever since fifth grade, I had played football, having suffered concussions in both fifth and ninth grade. Until now, I had never questioned my decision to play the sport. However, this past summer, on the day that high school football practice was to begin, I asked myself these four questions.

What is the best thing that could happen if I played football this season? I would probably have a lot of fun playing during the season. I would be able to develop my relationship with my friends on the team. Not to mention the possible benefits that playing a varsity sport would have on a college application.

What is the worst thing that could happen if I play football this season? I would put myself at risk for my third concussion, risking possible brain injury or even in the worst case, death.

What is the best thing that could happen if I do not play football this season? I would remove myself from the risk of injury. I could also see better grades with more time for homework and studying that would have been