You should say:
– When you took the risk
– Why you took the risk
– How it went
– And explain how you felt
about it
Frankly speaking, in my life I have seen an abundance of ups and downs so I had to take plenty of risks to safeguard myself. One significant risk
I took was during my final year of college, about three years ago. I decided to
start my own small business selling handmade Punjabi juttis (traditional
footwear). At that time, I was unsure if this venture would succeed or end up as a failure because the market was
already saturated, and I had no
prior experience in business.
I took this risk because I was passionate about promoting our
rich Punjabi culture and heritage.
Moreover, I wanted to create something unique that combined traditional designs
with contemporary fashion, hoping it
would appeal to both the older generation and the youth.
Initially, it was quite challenging.
I had to invest my savings, and there were moments when I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew,
especially when sales were slow, and I faced stiff competition. However, with perseverance and by leveraging
social media platforms to showcase my products, things gradually started to pick
up. Word-of-mouth and positive reviews also played a crucial role in boosting
my business.
To my pleasant surprise, the risk paid off. The Punjabi juttis
gained popularity not just in Punjab but across India, and I even started
receiving orders from abroad. It was a classic case of “every cloud has a silver lining,”
meaning that even though things seemed difficult initially, there was a
positive outcome in the end.
I felt an immense sense of relief and pride. It was a learning
experience that taught me the value of resilience
and hard work. The risk that I thought would lead to a terrible result ended up being a stepping stone to my success. It’s true what they say, “fortune favors the brave“.
In general, taking risks can be daunting, but it can also open up new opportunities and lead to
unexpected positive results. It is essential to weigh the pros and cons, but
sometimes, a leap of faith is all it takes to turn dreams into reality.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
1.
How should parents teach their children what a risk is?
Parents should teach their children
about risk by explaining the potential consequences of their actions and
encouraging them to think critically about the outcomes. Using real-life
examples and discussing both the positive and negative outcomes can help
children understand the concept of risk. Additionally, parents can create
controlled situations where children can experience taking small risks, such as
trying a new sport or hobby, to learn firsthand about assessing and managing
risks.
2.
What risks should parents tell their children to avoid?
Parents should advise their children to
avoid risks that can lead to serious harm, such as engaging in unsafe
activities, talking to strangers online, or participating in illegal
activities. They should also teach their children about the importance of
safety measures, like wearing helmets while cycling, and avoiding risky behaviours
like reckless driving or substance abuse.
3.
Why do some people like to watch risk-taking movies?
People enjoy watching risk-taking movies
because they offer an adrenaline
rush and a sense of excitement from the safety of their own homes. These movies
often feature high stakes and thrilling scenarios that captivate audiences. Watching characters navigate risky situations
can also be inspiring and provide an escape from everyday life.
4.
What kinds of sports are dangerous but exciting?
Sports like skydiving, bungee jumping,
rock climbing, and white-water rafting are considered dangerous but exciting.
These activities offer a thrill due to the high level of risk involved, and
participants often experience a sense of accomplishment and exhilaration after successfully
completing them.
5.
Why do some people enjoy extreme sports?
Some people enjoy extreme sports because
they provide a sense of adventure and challenge. The adrenaline rush from participating in these activities can be
addictive. Additionally, conquering fears and pushing physical limits can give
a sense of achievement and boost self-confidence. It’s also a way for some
individuals to escape the monotony
of daily life and experience something extraordinary.
6.
Are action films popular in your country?
Yes, action films are very popular in
India. Bollywood and regional film industries produce numerous action movies
that attract large audiences. These films often feature thrilling stunts,
dramatic fights, and high-octane
sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. They provide
entertainment and an escape from reality, which is why they are a favourite
among many.
7.
Do you think it is a good thing if a leader likes to take risks?
It can be a productive thing if a leader
likes to take calculated risks, as it shows they are willing to innovate and
drive change. However, it is important that these risks are well-thought-out
and not reckless. A leader who can balance risk-taking with sound judgment can
potentially lead to significant advancements and improvements.
8.
Do you think men and women will make a different choice about
risk taking?
Yes, studies and observations often
suggest that men and women may approach risk differently. Men are generally
perceived to be more inclined towards taking physical and financial risks,
whereas women may be more cautious and evaluate risks more carefully. However,
this is not a rule and can vary significantly among individuals. Cultural and
societal influences also play a significant role in shaping these behaviours.
9.
What about the young and old?
Young people are generally more likely
to take risks compared to older individuals. Youth is often associated with a sense
of invincibility and a desire for
adventure and new experiences. In contrast, older people may have more
responsibilities and prefer stability, leading them to avoid risks. However,
older individuals may take calculated risks based on their experience and
knowledge, especially in areas like business and investments.
USEFUL VOCABULARY
Abundance: A large
quantity of something, like an abundance of food at a feast.
Safeguard: To protect
something, like wearing a helmet to safeguard your head.
Venture: A risky or
daring journey or undertaking, like starting a new business venture.
Saturated: Completely
filled with something, like a saturated market with many similar products.
Heritage: The
traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of a group’s history, like
preserving cultural heritage.
Contemporary:
Belonging to the present time, like contemporary art in a modern museum.
Challenging: Difficult
in a way that tests your ability, like a challenging math problem.
“Bitten off more
than I could chew”: Taken on more than I can handle, like agreeing to too
many projects at once.
Stiff: Rigid or
difficult to bend, like stiff competition in a job market.
Perseverance:
Continued effort to do something despite difficulties, like showing perseverance
in training for a marathon.
Leveraging: Using
something to its maximum advantage, like leveraging social media for marketing.
“Every cloud has
a silver lining”: Every bad situation has some good aspects, like finding
a silver lining in losing a job by starting a new career.
Resilience: The
ability to recover quickly from difficulties, like showing resilience after a
setback.
Terrible: Very bad or
unpleasant, like a terrible storm.
Stepping stone: An
action or event that helps you to make progress, like a job that is a stepping
stone to a better career.
“Fortune favors
the brave”: People who take risks are often rewarded, like entrepreneurs
who succeed because they took bold steps.
Daunting: Seeming
difficult to deal with in anticipation, like a daunting task that looks very
hard to accomplish.
Reckless: Doing
something without thinking about the risks, like reckless driving.
Substance abuse:
Misuse of drugs or alcohol, like struggling with substance abuse.
Adrenaline: A hormone
released in response to stress or excitement, like feeling an adrenaline rush
during a roller coaster ride.
Captivate: To attract
and hold the interest of someone, like a captivating story that you can’t put
down.
Exhilaration: A
feeling of excitement and happiness, like the exhilaration of winning a race.
Monotony: Lack of
variety and interest, like the monotony of doing the same task every day.
High-octane: Very
exciting or intense, like a high-octane action movie.
Invincibility: The feeling
of being too powerful to be defeated or overcome, like feeling a sense of
invincibility after a big success.