Taking risks is the doorway to success. The key is knowing how to take smart risks. Two elements that influence your ability to manage risk are your comfort in experiencing new situations and self-esteem. The discomfort in taking risks stems from rejection. Risk takers distinguish facts from their emotions, which helps them to handle crisis well and empowers their decision making process.

The Do’s of Risk Taking:

1. Do have a life plan with clear goals.
2. Do make sure the risk is aligned with your life plan.
3. Do evaluate the potential gains and losses.
4. Do ask questions and research the situation.
5. Do know your strengths and limitations.
6. Do brainstorm several alternatives.
7. Do list potential conflicts and solutions.
8. Do set realistic timetable.
9. Do be flexible.
10. Do trust your intuition and instincts.
11. Do follow through and give it your best.
12. Do review and possibly revise your strategy.
13. Do ask for support.
14. Do acknowledge the people who give you support.

The Do Not's of Risk Taking:

1. Don’t be unrealistic.
2. Don’t be a perfectionist.
3. Don’t deny your feelings.
4. Don’t ignore or minimize problems.
5. Don’t mistake emotions for facts.
6. Don’t rush.
7. Don’t procrastinate.
8. Don’t blame others for your mistakes.
9. Don’t give up too soon.
10. Don’t be afraid to cut your losses and move on.
11. Don’t trust blindly.
12. Don’t risk just to prove yourself to others.
13. Don’t combine too many risks at once.

Time Management Tips

1. Review your master goal list at least once per week.
2. Group similar activities together.
3. Set specific times for taking and returning phone calls.
4. Throughout the day ask yourself, what is the best use of my time?
5. Discourage interruptions.
6. Learn to say "no."
7. Track important data and activities.
8. Avoid procrastination.
9. Respect your body’s and mind’s cycles.
10. Do your most challenging work during your peak performance cycles.
11. Delegate whenever possible.
12. Take a quick stretch break every 20 minutes.
13. Keep supplies stocked and accessible.
14. Set a schedule and follow it.
15. At end of the day, create the next day’s goals and activities list.

Time management is key to accomplishing your goals in the most effective manner. Alan Fairweather, in his article "7 Simple Steps To Get More Out of Your Day,"makes a variety of suggestions how to make the most of the time we have.

1. Plan your day the night before - At the end of each day write out all the things you need to do the following day to achieve your goals. Pull together all the information you'll need, phone numbers and relevant paperwork.


2. Prioritize the list - Number each item and do the nasty jobs first. There's always the temptation to do the easy jobs first. However, think how the thought of doing the nasty jobs hangs over you as you do the easy stuff. Think how good you'll feel when the nasties are out of the way and how motivated you'll feel.


3. Stick to your list - Tick off each item as you go and don't let yourself be distracted. The temptation is to handle the telephone and e-mails as they come in. The phone is hard to ignore but you could always pull out the plug and let it go to voice mail and switch off the email program. Make an agreement with yourself to check for messages every two hours or so. On the other hand, a live person answering the phone is often best. It depends on what your business is.


4. Remember the Three "D's" - Do it, Delegate it or Dump it. Handle each piece of paper only once. Either do something about it now, delegate it to someone else or chuck it in the trash. And remember, "Only do it if only you can do it."


5. Don't procrastinate - Procrastination really is the "Thief of Time." It's so easy to put things off till another time or till "I've had time to think about it." DO IT NOW!


6. Plan your leisure time - Take up activities that require you to be at a certain place at a certain time. Instead of just "going to the gym," book a fitness class or an appointment with a personal trainer.


7. Be honest with yourself - Keep asking, "Is what I'm doing now getting me to where I want to get to?" If the answer is "no," change what you're doing. This is the easiest way to get more out of your day and more out of your life.


8. I’m adding an 8th tip! Don’t forget to set aside time to play and take care of your own needs. All work and no play makes you resent the work!

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