Between the ages of 21 and 30, my first house burned to the ground, I had three miscarriages, my father unexpectedly died from a heart attack, and my marriage ended in divorce. As I reflected on my loss and failure, I came to truly understand the essence of risk-the bravery and resilience needed to refocus energies, to try again, and to have hope. I discovered that the mind, the heart, the body and the soul must take risks.

You don't have to be a bungee jumper or a high-stakes poker player to have good risk-taking skills. And you definitely don't need to be a daredevil to reap the rewards. I've never broken a bone in my body. And yet I take risks almost daily... socially, intellectually and emotionally...and with remarkably satisfying results.

Your perception of - and approach to - risk-taking makes a big difference as to how you feel about yourself and your life. I know because I do it. And I've seen how charged up other people get when they learn how liberating it is to take smart risks. Purposeful risks that remove barriers to their personal and professional growth.

The results of purposeful risk-taking are nothing short of amazing. When people discard their negative perceptions and embrace the "flip side" of risk, they're empowered to do things they previously thought were impossible.

A few years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of owning my own company. Nor did I think I would be speaking in front of thousands of people. Since that day-when I learned to get over loss and failure and "go for it" again-I reconnected with my spirit, sought new opportunities and took chances. Depending only on myself, I continued taking purposeful risks-one after another-and here I am.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about purposeful risk-taking, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Happy risking!

© copyright 2009 Cathy Newton & PRT Consulting, Inc.