10 Ways to Run a Risky Business

1. Take a chance. The riskiest decision you make can be the most rewarding and gratifying.
2. There's no crystal ball. Take big leaps to learn about yourself as an entrepreneur and a decision-maker.
3. Once you make a decision, be confident with it and move forward. Don't look back.
4. Stop worrying. You can't take risks confidently if you're constantly worrying about the outcome or the future.
   
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5. Remember that there are no mistakes. If you fail after taking a risk, the lessons learned are invaluable.
6. Ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen?
7. Keep stepping out of your comfort zone. The more success you experience through your risk-taking, the more you'll allow yourself to branch out.
8. Don't let perfectionism get in the way of taking risks. Accept that as an entrepreneur, learning is never-ending.
9. Evaluate what you're really risking. It might not be as scary as you originally thought.
10. Don't stress about coming up with that "big idea." Big ideas don't come easily--a small idea may actually be the big prize.

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This article was originally published in the February 2009 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: 10 Ways to Run a Risky Business.