To succeed in business, you must take risks along the way. Risky situations that can lead to career success include:
Promotions – One should not assume that the boss knows how well you do your job and will reward your performance. Requesting a review from your boss may be difficult, but often a promotion may come when you show interest in the needs of the company. Asking for an opportunity to discuss your performance is a way of letting your boss know that you are interested in increasing your performance and advancing your career.
Changing companies – The days of one company and one career per lifetime, seem to be gone. In order to advance, you will likely have to risk the safety of staying in the same place to move up the career ladder.
Changing careers – Changing fields is very risky, but it can be very rewarding. Those who explore both aptitudes and interests tend to be most successful—both personally and financially—when doing something they really enjoy. The same principles apply when starting your own business.
What if you fail? – The most successful people do not look at mistakes as failed risks, but as setbacks that have become learning opportunities. Because even the most well laid plans don't always succeed, adaptability and optimism are important tools in career development and risk taking.
If you have trouble viewing failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, you might try monitoring your thoughts for a time and replacing negative messages with positive ones. Changing "I really screwed up, I hope I don't get fired" to "It was a good first effort" will improve your attitude, and most importantly, leave you open to making more successful risks in the future.