Understanding the psychology behind risk
Risks are part of life. Whether you’re deciding to change jobs, speak up in a meeting, or go for an ocean swim — risks are everywhere, big and small.
But what actually drives our approach to risky behaviours? And how does our brain respond to perceived risks?
It turns out we don’t always weigh up risks logically. Our emotions, past experiences, and even how close or far away something feels in time and space can all influence how we act.
We might ignore a health risk because it feels like a ‘someday’ problem, while reacting quickly to something immediate, like a slippery footpath or a barking dog.
This is because our brains are wired to protect us from harm — it’s part of our survival instinct. But depending on your personal risk appetite, past experiences, and how you interpret a situation, your brain’s default response isn’t always the right one. Knowing when to take a risk is nuanced.
Risk-taking is helpful when it pushes us out of ruts, leads to personal growth, builds confidence and resilience, and opens up new opportunities.
Risk-taking can backfire if you act impulsively without thinking things through, you ignore gut feelings or red flags, or you take on too much at once.
Being ‘risk ready’ is a delicate balancing act that requires self-awareness.
It’s helpful to:
Recognise when your brain’s alarm bells are helpful or holding you back.
Learn to pause and reflect before making a final decision.
Tune into both your rational mind and your intuition, not just your immediate fight-or-flight response.
There’s no perfect formula for deciding when to take a risk — but understanding how your brain reacts and what influences your choices is a good place to start. Over time, learning to sit with risk — not run from it — builds a quiet kind of confidence. The more you tune in, the more skilled you’ll become at choosing which risks to take, and which risks to skip.