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By Dave Kahle 
What sets the exceptional professional apart from the average? Regardless of what the 
profession, from sales to psychiatry, the exceptional professionals share certain 
characteristics. Here's one: The propensity to take risks. 
Now, don't get the wrong idea. We're not talking about skydiving, nor are we talking 
about sinking your life savings in the new start up. We're talking about taking risks that 
force you to move out of your comfort zones on the job -- risks that will stimulate you to 
stretch yourself, to become more competent, to gain new skills, to expand your abilities 
and, maybe, in so doing, help you become more effective and more efficient. 
Talk to someone in your profession who has become exceptionally successful. Ask 
him/her about the risks they have taken in their professional lives. You'll find that almost 
every successful professional has stretched himself/herself beyond comfort zones a 
number of different times. It's one of the characteristics of the highly successful 
professional. 
If you can build an inclination to take these kinds of risks into your mindset, you'll grow 
faster and further than if you remain safely inside of your comfort zones. 
Everyday Risks 
As a salesperson, when you call on a different type of customer than that with which 
you have become comfortable, you take a risk. For example, when you call on the CEO 
instead of the marketing manager or production supervisor, you've stepped out of your 
comfort zone and taken a risk. 
      
When you choose a new way to make a presentation, or a new way to contact your 
clients you are taking a risk. When you chose to question and then change some longentrenched habit, you are taking a risk. When you expand your efforts in any direction 
that calls for you to stretch and attempt something new, you are taking a risk. 
Increase Self-Assurance 
Some of those risks will turn out well, others will become failures. Regardless, the 
simple act of trying something different and new will help you. You'll gain confidence in 
your abilities and you'll learn from both your successes as well as your failures. Your life 
will expand, you'll grow wiser and you'll become more successful. 
      
That is the sure payoff for every risk thoughtfully taken. 
Source: Dave Kahle is a world-class speaker who has presented in 41 states and six countries