Everyone wants to become successful, but a few are ready to do what it takes to become successful.

If you ask any successful entrepreneur how they would become successful if they had to restart it from zero, the answer would be by taking risks.

However, many professionals are capable of achieving success, but most of them are stuck in their comfort zone.

Comfort zone is a dream killer.

Risk-taking ability boosts your speed to become successful.

Therefore, in today’s newsletter, we’ll discuss a few real life stories of professionals who took risks and are successful now.

Three Real-life Stories of Career Risks

1: Priya’s Leap into the Unknown

Priya was a successful marketing executive at a large corporation but felt creatively stifled. 

She took a leap of faith by joining a startup. (A major risk: leaving her stable job and joining an unstable startup.)

Despite the uncertainty, Priya thrived in the dynamic environment and was soon promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, helping scale the company to new heights.

2: Rajesh’s Tech Gamble

Rajesh left a stable job at a renowned tech giant to join a lesser-known startup. Although risky, this move allowed him to work on groundbreaking technologies, including AI and ML. 

While working at a startup, he discovered his leadership skills, which wouldn’t be possible if he was at a stable company doing repetitive tasks.

3: Vikram’s Industry Switch

Working in finance, Vikram felt unfulfilled and longed for a career that aligned more with his interests. 

He upskilled himself with a few small online courses in the renewable energy sector. 

And then he transitioned into the renewable energy sector, making a meaningful impact. His bold move led to a leadership role in a pioneering green energy company.

How to Take Calculated Career Risks

Taking calculated risks doesn’t mean not preparing for what’s coming for you. It should be thoroughly planned and well executed.

The following are some tips on how to take calculated career risks.

1: Understanding your financial situation

Taking risks simply means a financial burden is waiting for you around the corner. Therefore, the first step should be to understand your financial situation deeper than your CA (if you have one).

Knowing how much of runtime you have if you resign from your job today will help you plan strategically.

And if you’re not in a situation where you can leave your job right now, plan on saving at least six months of your monthly fixed costs.

2: Network strategically

Your active network will help you thrive in your life. Here active network means the people you regularly engage with.For example, you have 5000 people on your network on LinkedIn, but you hardly interact with or know 100 people. So, your active network consists of 100 people only.

Therefore, focus on building your active network, and that too in the industry you’re targeting.

3: Find a mentor.

You alone can’t make it to the finish line.

You need a guiding voice. You need someone who can be with you at every major step of your life.

This could be your father, mother, elder brother, or someone from your professional network who has been there and done that.

4: Upskill

The very first starting point for you to take risks is upskilling. When you stop procrastinating and actually start learning new skills that will help you in the future, that’s a sign you’re serious about taking risks and being successful.

In the internet-led world, you can’t be successful without having the necessary skills. And the only way to upskill is to show commitment and dedication towards that skill.

Use online platforms like YouTube, Skill Share, and Udemy, and if required, take help of your mentor to upskill.

UpMan Placements: Always Ready to Help You

At UpMan Placements, we have helped more than 27,000 candidates find their dream job and land in their favourite industries.

With our 250+ expert recruitment consultants, you’re in safe hands when it comes to taking risks and changing your career.