"There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction."
--- John F. Kennedy
Conservative business leading typically results in conservative business rewards. If you rent a jet ski, you shouldn't just sit on it and cruise on the water. No, they are meant to open up and glide on the water and do cool jumps or make large fishtails. Cruising on a jet ski may be safer, but it doesn't provide the same thrill and ultimate results that the jet ski was designed to give.
In business, exchanging goods and services for money will, over time, provide for a good living. And it is steady, reliable, slow prodding...in other words, boring. But finding new and better ways to give the customer what they want, what they desire, and what they really need is exciting as well as very rewarding.
Unfortunately, there is a cost involved. It will be costly to break out of your comfort zone to try new strategies in business. It might even be costly if you decide that revamping your entire operation will provide better solutions for your customers. And it will cost you plenty to alienate yourself from the naysayers who try to talk you out of taking a chance.
"A lack of realism in the vision today costs credibility tomorrow."
--- John C. Maxwell
Creating something new not only requires us to move out of our comfort zones but also needs our full attention to deep thought, planning, and seeking counsel of trustworthy friends, family or mentors. We can't just be nilly-willy with a decision, but we also shouldn't sit on it too long.
I have a friend who has talked about and thought about making a serious move in business for the past five years. He continues to think about it, but has yet to pull the trigger. He has what I, and others, think is a great idea and a good move for his business, but he will soon lose the opportunity if he continues to just sit on it.
"Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing."
--- Denis Waitley
Risks always cost something. There is risk in investing in the stock market, driving on the freeway, and now, even drinking coffee. Taking any action in business has both small and large risks, but so does inaction. Figuring out what works and what doesn't isn't easy, but that is the cost you pay to succeed.
Finding the solutions that your customers are craving not only brings in more business, which is always good, but it also fattens the bottom line, provides the foundation for a great reputation, opens doors to other opportunities, and stretches your capacity to absorb more costs through taking more risks.
Take the risk, pay the costs for expanding your business today!
"When your product solves a problem that costs customers sleep, revenue, or profits, things are definitely looking up."
--- Steve Blank
