By: Marcia Zidle, M.S. N.C.C. B.C.C.

That’s a question I asked a client recently who was trying to solve this dilemma. Should she stay in her present company where she was satisfied but not excited or a position at another company that offered her potentially greater advancement (but not guaranteed)?

In a career that can now span 40 years or more, most of us will be or have been faced with this dilemma: Do I play it safe? Do I take a risk?

The book “Taking Smart Risks” by Doug Sundheim, states that we tend to view our choices as risky or safe. Safe is good while risky is well, risky. It’s not an either/or proposition—safe or risky. But because we perceive it that way, we tend to do all we can to avoid or minimize risk and stay in our comfort zone.

We say to ourselves, “Things may not be perfect now, but they’re not all that bad. If I make a move, things could end up worse. I’d better not risk it.”

Being caught in the comfort zone doesn’t mean that you’re sitting around doing nothing. For many people it’s more likely that you’re making progress with your goals, but not quickly enough. You could be taking chances, but not boldly enough. You could be going out on a limb, but not far enough.

A Balanced Focus

What Taking Smart Risks is advocating is a change in our mindset regarding risk. We need to focus on both the downside of taking risks and not taking risks. For example, if I do this what will it get me? What may I regret if I don’t?

So for this client I suggested she do a quick cost benefit analysis. Focusing on her career goals (what she wants to do and where she wants to be):

• How would staying in her present job move her forward?
• What about switching jobs – how would it help her move closer to her goals?
• What’s the best and worst thing that can happen if she stayed?
• What’s the best and worst thing that can happen if she left?
• What do you need to know that you don’t know now?
• Finally, what does your inner voice say to you?

After some soul searching and self-awareness plus getting additional career intelligencefrom others, she decided to make the move. Checking in with her six months later, she’s thriving in her new position.

Smart Moves Tip:

Coasting and staying in your comfort one seems fine for a while. Who wouldn’t like a relaxing Sunday-afternoon-drive-pace job? However, over time those who never take a risk and never try new things get in a rut that lessens their effectiveness and shrinks their career satisfaction. Remember don’ be afraid to go out on a limb…that’s where the fruit is... but make sure it’s the right kind of fruit for your diet.

Marcia Zidle, M.S. N.C.C. B.C.C. is a board certified coach who provides executive coaching to business and community leaders and management teams to leverage their skills, strengths and style for high performance. Go to www.LeadersAtAllLevels.com to sign up for the smart moves blog and free success e-books. Listen to her weekly internet radio program "The Business Edge" for Voice America Wednesdays at 2pm EST at http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2186/the-business-edge You can contact Marcia at 972-380-9281 or Marcia@LeadersAtAllLevels.com.