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Makayla Anderson, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

When it comes to making decisions, especially big ones, most people spend a lot of time weighing the risks and rewards. They analyze every potential outcome, try to calculate the odds, and often hesitate, caught between the fear of failure and the hope of success. But for me? I don’t think that much about it. And here’s why.

Overthinking Kills Action

I’ve found that the more I analyze risks and rewards, the more likely I am to get stuck in a cycle of overthinking. I start questioning every possible scenario, and before I know it, I’m paralyzed by my own thoughts. That hesitation can be the biggest obstacle to progress. Instead of taking the leap, I end up waiting for the “perfect” moment—one that rarely, if ever, comes.

By not dwelling too much on risk versus reward, I allow myself to take action faster and adapt as I go. Life is unpredictable, and no amount of planning can eliminate uncertainty. Sometimes, you just have to take the first step and trust that you’ll figure things out along the way.

Learning Through Experience

Another reason I don’t overthink risk and reward is that experience has taught me that failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, failure is often the best teacher. Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned have come from taking risks that didn’t pan out the way I expected. If I had been too focused on avoiding failure, I would have missed out on those learning opportunities.

Experience also builds confidence. The more I put myself out there, the more I realize that I can handle setbacks and adapt to new challenges. That confidence makes it easier to take risks without the constant need to analyze every possible outcome.

Passion Over Calculation

For me, passion often outweighs logic when it comes to decision-making. If I’m truly passionate about something, I don’t need to sit down and weigh the risks versus the rewards—I just go for it. Passion drives me forward, even when logic might suggest caution. Some of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in life didn’t necessarily make sense on paper, but they felt right in my gut.

I’ve come to believe that when you’re passionate about something, you’ll find a way to make it work, regardless of the risks. The reward, in those cases, isn’t just about success or failure; it’s about doing something meaningful.

Trusting My Intuition

Intuition plays a big role in why I don’t dwell on risk and reward. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and make decisions based on what feels right in the moment. That doesn’t mean I act recklessly, but I’ve realized that my gut often knows what’s best before my mind has a chance to overcomplicate things.

Overanalyzing risks can drown out intuition, making it harder to hear that inner voice that guides me toward the right path. By trusting myself more, I find that my decisions are often aligned with my values and goals, even if they don’t follow conventional wisdom.

Growth Comes from Discomfort

The reality is, growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. If I spent too much time calculating risks, I’d probably talk myself out of half the things that have helped me grow the most. Taking risks means embracing discomfort, uncertainty and the possibility of failure—all things that contribute to personal and professional growth.

Instead of thinking, “What if it goes wrong?” I try to think, “What if it works out?” That shift in perspective helps me move forward without getting bogged down by fear.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, I choose to focus more on action and less on the what-ifs. Of course, I consider potential consequences, but I don’t let them hold me back. I’ve realized that life is too short to overanalyze every step. Sometimes, the best way to figure things out is to dive in, take risks and see where they lead.

So, if you find yourself stuck in the endless loop of risk-versus-reward calculations, maybe it’s time to take a step back and just go for it. You might be surprised at what happens when you stop thinking so much and start doing.

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