Quiz: Are You A Risk Taker?
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From starting a business to playing the stock market, some of the biggest opportunities in life require taking risks. Do you have what it takes? Take this quiz to find out.
1. Inspiration hits, and you think of a creative strategy for wowing a picky client at the next monthly meeting. It’s a little off-the-wall, so you:
a. Go for it! Ideas like this don’t come along every day, and you know your boss will be impressed with the results, even if the tactics are a bit unusual.
b. Run it by a trusted colleague first. If all goes according to plan, it could be brilliant, but if it flops, totally embarrassing.
c. Dismiss it. Better to stick with the tried-and-true methods that have worked in the past.
2. It’s your roommate’s birthday, and she’s dying to celebrate by going skydiving. You’ve never been, so you:
a. Give it the green light! After all, she’ll only turn 30 once and you want the day to be special for both of you.
b. Express some interest, but Google the company for any safety issues before you agree to put your life in their hands.
c. Suggest dinner instead. No way are you dropping out of a moving aircraft for anyone’s birthday.
3. You get a nice, fat quarterly bonus, and you’d like to invest the extra cash. Your investment strategy includes:
a. Offering a business loan to a friend who’s working on a new website. Once she gets her company off the ground, you hope to see a decent return. And if not, at least you’ve helped your friend build her business.
b. Purchasing stocks from companies in several different industries in the hopes that if one industry tanks, another will make up the deficit. It’s all about diversifying.
c. Opening a CD at your local bank. The interest rate isn’t spectacular, but at least it’s guaranteed for the next 10 months.
4. Your boyfriend asks you to choose the restaurant for your anniversary dinner. You decide on:
a. A place that serves traditional Moroccan food. You’ve never tried Moroccan, but it’s been on your radar since you started watching the Food Network 24/7.
b. A new restaurant that got a stellar review from Zagat. You’re willing to trust the experts, and you’ve heard it’s really romantic.
c. The French café where you two had your first date. Why break with tradition when you know you can count on their delicious wine and baguettes?
5. Your company offers you a promotion, but the catch is that you have to relocate to another city where you’ve never visited and don’t have any friends or family. You:
a. Grab your Lonely Planet and load up the U-Haul. This is a great opportunity, and you’re always up for seeing other parts of the country.
b. Agree to relocate as long as they’re willing to reassess the situation in six months to see if it’s the right place for you. You’ll sublet your apartment so you have the option of moving back.
c. Politely decline. You’d rather stay put so you don’t have to deal with the uncertainty of moving. Plus, you’d really miss your friends and your apartment.
6. You’re planning to take a cruise to the Caribbean with some friends, but you get laid off a few days before you leave. Do you proceed with the trip as planned?
a. Absolutely! You’ll feel better about the whole situation after you’ve gotten a tan and downed a few mai tais.
b. Yes, but you’ll have to be more careful about your spending while you’re on the ship. And you’ll be sure to file for unemployment before you leave.
c. No way. With your financial future so uncertain, you put an immediate freeze on any unnecessary spending. And you’ll want to start looking for a new job ASAP.
7. When someone at work approaches you about making an important decision, you:
a. Make it on the spot. Always best to go with your gut.
b. Research the issue online and give an answer the next day. You want to do your homework, but you also understand the need to act promptly.
c. Spend a week thoroughly considering your options. You’d hate to jump into anything and have it blow up in your face!
8. You’ve always wanted to start your own jewelry business, and you meet someone at a networking event who shares your vision. When she asks if you’ll take the plunge with her, you:
a. Jump right in! This is your dream, and you figure you can work out the details later.
b. Meet her over coffee to start brainstorming your business plan. If all goes well, you’ll see about going half-time at work, so you’ll still have a financial cushion.
c. Tell her you wish you could, but you’re not sure that it’s such a good idea right now with the economy and all.
Mostly A’s: Daring Diva
Reckless is practically your middle name. You love the adrenaline rush you get from trying something new, and you’re not afraid of failure. Your chutzpah is admirable, but don’t forget to examine the possible consequences before you agree. Not everything is a good idea.
Mostly B’s: Safe and Sound
You artfully balance a yearning for adventure with a need for stability by doing your research and never taking reckless or unnecessary chances. Keep up the good work, and remember to have a safety net for when things don’t go as planned.
Mostly C’s: Cautious Creature
You’ve seen what can happen when people get carried away, and you prefer to play it safe. Your cautiousness is understandable, but don’t be afraid to live a little! When faced with a risky situation, ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” If you can live with the results, then it might be worth it.