I live a risk-averse life.

[Ronni]

I've always been pretty conservative in the way I approached certain activities or decisions in my life. While I like adventure, and fun activities and things that some might consider risky, (like zip lining etc.) still I tend to flinch and shy away from those things that carry with them a higher degree of risk than I'm comfortable with, whether they are financial, physical or logistical.

Risk aversion is usually discussed only in the financial world, I think because the phrase originated there, and was oriented towards the investor who chooses the preservation of capital over the potential for a higher-than-average return. But it's become more mainstream in recent times, and has begun to be used to explain or define more general situations in life.

There's a balance though, because a healthy mind needs something positive to aim towards. You can’t just aim “away” from things. You also need to aim “towards” things. Or else you are too focused on the negative, and that can lead to a less healthy mind-frame. Sometimes I feel like I have a decent balance between the two, but then there are times too when I feel like I spend a lot of time talking myself OUT of things because there's too much uncertainty or danger or, yes, risk, associated with the decision.

But then I argue with myself because I am also aware that if I become too rigid in my thinking, if I limit my failures beyond a certain point, then I'm not growing, expanding, continuing to flex those intellectual and emotional muscles. I don't want to become too annoyingly self-certain, or lose the ability to be fluid and spontaneous. Like I said, it's all about balance and I think I come down on the wrong side of that too often.

What about you? Are you risk-averse or a risk taker?

 

[Liberty]

I've always been pretty conservative in the way I approached certain activities or decisions in my life. While I like adventure, and fun activities and things that some might consider risky, (like zip lining etc.) still I tend to flinch and shy away from those things that carry with them a higher degree of risk than I'm comfortable with, whether they are financial, physical or logistical.

Risk aversion is usually discussed only in the financial world, I think because the phrase originated there, and was oriented towards the investor who chooses the preservation of capital over the potential for a higher-than-average return. But it's become more mainstream in recent times, and has begun to be used to explain or define more general situations in life.

There's a balance though, because a healthy mind needs something positive to aim towards. You can’t just aim “away” from things. You also need to aim “towards” things. Or else you are too focused on the negative, and that can lead to a less healthy mind-frame. Sometimes I feel like I have a decent balance between the two, but then there are times too when I feel like I spend a lot of time talking myself OUT of things because there's too much uncertainty or danger or, yes, risk, associated with the decision.

But then I argue with myself because I am also aware that if I become too rigid in my thinking, if I limit my failures beyond a certain point, then I'm not growing, expanding, continuing to flex those intellectual and emotional muscles. I don't want to become too annoyingly self-certain, or lose the ability to be fluid and spontaneous. Like I said, it's all about balance and I think I come down on the wrong side of that too often.

What about you? Are you risk-averse or a risk taker?

Personally like "value received". Think as we get older we pretty much know whether doing something will be worth it...like will it be worth it to drive 2 days to stay a week here or there or whatever. Lets face it, most of us have already been to Disney World a time or two. About the biggest risks we take is buying a new book by a new author (gee, will we like it or not) and shelling out some bucks for a new plant...lol. Its all about what we are truly interested in enough to do it. We're not "driven" to participate just because others have done it. Life is good!

 

[CarolfromTX]

I prefer to think of it as being sensible. Why take a risk just for the sake of taking a risk and feeling good about it? Doesn't mean I'm rigid and can't be spontaneous. Just means I put some thought into what I do.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I always try to ask myself what is the worst that can happen.

If I can handle the consequences then I can handle the risk.

“Never test the depth of the river with both feet.” - Warren Buffet

 

[JaniceM]

I prefer to think of it as being sensible. Why take a risk just for the sake of taking a risk and feeling good about it? Doesn't mean I'm rigid and can't be spontaneous. Just means I put some thought into what I do.

I'm similar to what she ^ said.

 

[Aneeda72]

My husband has said he doesn’t want to take vacations with me anymore because I might die in the car. As I’ve said elsewhere on this forum, if that happens pull up to a mile marker, toss me out, drive to the nearest town, and tell them where to pick me up. He is not a risk taker.

I am. Due to a majority of health issues, for years, everything I do “risks” my life. But I refuse to sit at home and wait for the end, and then the virus, . Here I am, sitting at home waiting for the end of a virus which, apparently, will never end.

 

[StarSong]

I prefer to think of it as being sensible. Why take a risk just for the sake of taking a risk and feeling good about it? Doesn't mean I'm rigid and can't be spontaneous. Just means I put some thought into what I do.

Same here, but will add that financially I'm very risk averse. Always have been. As Jerry Seinfeld said, I don't need my money working for me. I want to be able to find all of it right where I left it. We've owned a small business for over 40 years. That's been risk enough.

 

[Gaer]

Risk taker; I like to explore, take unknown roads to see where they go. Of course, I get in a lot of trouble that way. I've had my vehicle stuck sideways on a narrow mountain road more than once and drove deep into Mexico alone and had my vehicle stuck deep in the sand in Baja; stuff like that. I like exploring alone on foot too. Placer mining in Alaska, I was looking down the barrel of a shotgun because "This is my claim!" I'm ALWAYS getting in trouble! No brains, that's my problem!

 

[Pecos]

I was a risk taker in my younger years (like many of us), but I evolved like Jim Croce in his song: "Careful Man."

" If you want to see a commotion, you should have seen the man that I used to be.
" I was trouble in perpetual motion, trouble with a capital T"
" Oh I used to be a terror, but now I am a careful man."

My brother and I are a bit surprised that we survived to the grand old ages we have reached. But we do have better stories and memories than the sedate members of society. Our adult Grandchildren actually listen to us.

I do not have a clue as to which group "risk takers" vs. "risk adverse" comes out ahead in life, but the risk takers generally have more fun (IMHVO), and (LOL) we might even be better looking according to my brother.

 

[Duster]

I guess I'm a risk taker and always have been. It has definitely lead to a more interesting life. Taking chances has placed me in many situations both wonderful and sometimes dangerous.
I don't really feel like I have anything to lose by taking risks. I weigh how much risk is involved verses how much benefit there is in any situation. How can anyone WIN if they don't play?

 

[Gaer]

I was a risk taker in my younger years (like many of us), but I evolved like Jim Croce in his song: "Careful Man."

" If you want to see a commotion, you should have seen the man that I used to be.
" I was trouble in perpetual motion, trouble with a capital T"
" Oh I used to be a terror, but now I am a careful man."

My brother and I are a bit surprised that we survived to the grand old ages we have reached. But we do have better stories and memories than the sedate members of society. Our adult Grandchildren actually listen to us.

I do not have a clue as to which group "risk takers" vs. "risk adverse" comes out ahead in life, but the risk takers generally have more fun (IMHVO), and (LOL) we might even be better looking according to my brother.

Pecos: Yes, Risk takers have A LOT MORE FUN and they ARE BETTER LOOKING! hahaha! Pecos, I just LOVE you!!!

 

[Duster]

This reminds me of the old joke about a man who had financial problems going to church every week and praying, "Please Lord, I want to win the lottery."
After a few weeks, he went to church and prayed, "Lord, why have you forsaken me? Why can't I be the one to win the lottery?"
A booming voice replied, "You have to buy a lottery ticket first!".

 

[Gaer]

Another one, Duster: An Eskimo hunter asked the local missionary priest, "If I did not know about God and Sin, would I go to Hell?" "No" said the priest. "not if you did not know." "Then why," asked the Eskimo earnestly, "did you tell me?"

 

[Liberty]

This reminds me of the old joke about a man who had financial problems going to church every week and praying, "Please Lord, I want to win the lottery."
After a few weeks, he went to church and prayed, "Lord, why have you forsaken me? Why can't I be the one to win the lottery?"
A booming voice replied, "You have to buy a lottery ticket first!".

You just reminded me of something...took a big big risk when marrying my hub. Had to go against my family. Boy oh boy did that work out wonderfully! Later my family loved him and had to eat "crow"...lol.

 

[Lee]

I used to fly by the seat of my pants, it was fun at the time but getting a bit more sensible now.

 

[jujube]

I'm a risk-taker, an adrenaline junkie. I love thrills. I need thrills.

But with this virus, I'm a wuss. I don't take risks.

 

[MickaC]

Sorry.......I label myself Ms. sensible, guarantee, safe, risk taking isn't in my life's dictionary, unless very minimal, routine is a must, no surprises there......my other title could be Ms. Boring, but i do have some surprising content.