Risk is something that makes most of us uncomfortable. It requires a degree of change, as well as, an amount of uncertainty. That is why most of us stop short of actually taking the leap.

There are certain steps that you can take to increase your odds of success:

1. Check Your Motives

Are you solely after personal gain or will others benefit? Be wary if your only intent is to improve personal position. Self-centered ventures often time will not equate into long-term success.

2. Have You Sought Wise Counsel

Wise counsel is not your buddy that thinks like you do. Too often that is just affirmation and watch out for that one. Wise counsel is also not just the folks that have just written about a specific topic. Find those people that have actually lived through what you are trying to accomplish and soak up all of the knowledge that you can from them.

3. Assess the Possible Outcomes

Perform an evaluation of the worst that can happen, the best possible outcome, and determine what will most likely happen. It is very common for someone to only see both ends of the spectrum. Cautiously optimistic is often the most prudent approach.

4. Can You Ease into It Without Taking the Entire Leap

In the case of a business venture, can you make it a side business to test the market? Keep in mind that someone saying that they will buy is a lot different than writing a check. Do your best to test a market prior to jumping in full speed. It might mean working a couple of jobs but that is a lot better than throwing caution into the wind without doing the proper research.

5. If you Have a Choice, Do Not “Bet the Farm”

Betting everything on one option makes a nice story when it works out, but it does not always work out. Risk what you can afford to lose plus a little more; putting a little raises the importance of getting it right, but without sending you into fear or panic mode.

6. Keep An Eye Out for Other Opportunities that Might Come Up

Occasionally, it is the secondary outcome of pursuing a goal that turns out to be the most beneficial. Keep an open eye and mind for residual opportunities. You might end up in an entirely different place than what you expected.

7. Take Good Notes

One of the benefits that you get the most out of is what you learn along the way. If you keep great notes, you improve your chances the next time. Purchase a small notebook and keep it with you at all times. You can never be sure when a thought worth keeping might hit.

Just remember that change is almost always different, and taking risks inherently has change in it. Get it right and a better place waits on the other side.