Taking risks comes with plenty of benefits. As with anything, there is a possibility that you could have a negative experience. Before you jump into your next risk, think about what you’ll gain over what the possible down-sides are.

Pros

1. More Experiences: With any new risk, you’re going on a new adventure. It doesn’t have to be a big risk for the thrill to be there. Every new situation is a new experience that you can take with you. All new experiences teach you something.
2. More Knowledge: From your new experience, you’ll learn something new. Whether it be a new skill, a new person, or something new about yourself, by taking a risk, you’ll open up your world to more knowledge. Take a risk by taking a cooking class, and you’ll learn new techniques in the kitchen. Put yourself out there and talk to someone in the grocery aisle. You can meet a new friend, and at the least, brighten their day. Learning about yourself can be the most effective, though. Tackle your fears and learn how the things that you enjoy.
3. Find a New Favorite ____: When you try something new, you can find a new favorite hobby. You’ll never know if you like something if you don’t try it. Eating something different can be nerve-racking, but you may end up loving a new dish. You have to experience something to know whether or not you enjoy it. Widen your outlook by trying something new.
4. Meet New People: When you try new activities, then you’ll meet new people who are like-minded. You can find new friends who share common ground. It’s a great way to get to know more people and grow your network of local friends.

Cons

1. Embarrassment: With any new risk, there is a possibility that you can do the task wrong. If you’ve never done something before, odds are, you’ll mess up once or twice. With every new activity there is a learning curve, and sometimes it doesn’t always go as planned.
2. Injury: Depending on what type of risk you take, you can risk an injury. Going on your very first hike brings with it some physical challenges that you aren’t used to. You can fall and scrape up a leg, or at the very least get a blister or two.
3. Dislike Your Experience: You tried it out, and you ended up not liking your experience at all. It happens. You may have even spent a few dollars on your new risk as well. Chalk it up to learning and try not to look at it as money lost.  

Weigh out the pros and cons of each risk before you decide to take it on. Start off with small, simple risks, and work your way up to bigger goals. A little risk has less impactful cons, and larger risks bring higher cons. Don’t let that deter you because a higher risk, can also bring a higher reward. Make a list of the different risk factors that you want to tackle. It can be anything from making small talk with cashiers, to going bungee jumping. Start crossing your Risk List off one by one, and you’ll end up with a lifetime of knowledge and experience.