The Psychology of Risk: Why Some Dare Greatly — and Others Hesitate

By: Dr. Salihu Lukman

Preamble

In response to a powerful post by Dr. Usman Isyaku on risk-taking and the fear of regret, I shared my thoughts exploring how our personalities and even psychological struggles shape our approach to risk. I titled my response "The Psychology of Risk: Why Some Dare Greatly — and Others Hesitate" because it reflects the deeper forces — both internal and psychological — that influence why some boldly chase the impossible, while others find themselves stuck on the sidelines. Identify which side you are and strive to strike a balance accordingly.

Usman Isyaku’s Post

The biggest risk in life is not failing at something big, it is regret of not trying. Take a shot at something that seems impossible to achieve. Build it brick by brick and watch it grow beyond your imagination. The people who chose comfort over risk end up envying those who didn't. You either go big or you regret it. Good morning!

My Response

Brilliantly said! Your words strike at the very heart of human potential — and human hesitation. Risk is the defining boundary between who we are today and who we could become. But how we approach that boundary is largely shaped by deep-rooted parts of our personality and even our mental state.

Einstein's famous reminder that “If at first an idea doesn't sound absurd, then there's no hope for it” captures the raw truth that groundbreaking success often wears the disguise of impossibility. But what determines whether we dare to chase that "absurd" idea — or retreat into comfort — is far from random.

Some people are naturally wired for bold moves. Those high in sensation-seeking, extraversion, and low in harm avoidance thrive on uncertainty. Entrepreneurs who build empires, innovators who rewrite the rules, even the daring leaders who transform industries — many of them carry within them that hunger for challenge, the thrill of the unknown. Even certain disorders like bipolar (during manic or hypomanic phases) or ADHD can fuel bursts of bold, risk-driven action — though usually without balance, such energy can also lead to reckless decisions.

On the flip side, it's crucial to acknowledge that not everyone avoids risk out of laziness or weakness. Some are held back by invisible chains — deep-seated anxiety, high conscientiousness, or disorders like GAD, OCD, or avoidant personality traits. For them, risk doesn't look like an exciting leap — it looks like a terrifying abyss. Their minds are wired to see every potential failure, every uncertain outcome magnified to overwhelming proportions.

But here's the beauty of human growth: risk-taking isn’t just for the naturally fearless. Even those cautious by nature can choose to take calculated risks. You don’t have to bet the whole farm on one throw of the dice. You can, as you perfectly put it, “build it brick by brick and watch it grow beyond your imagination.”

The real tragedy isn't failure — it’s regret. It's the quiet, gnawing question of “What if I had tried?” And that regret doesn't spare the cautious, the anxious, or even the successful — because comfort zones are prisons that grow tighter over time.

So whether you're wired for boldness or for caution, the challenge remains the same: face the risk that matters to you. For the fearless, temper your leaps with wisdom. For the anxious, start with small steps beyond your comfort zone. Either way, the path to growth demands that we step beyond what's certain.

As they say, “You either go big, or you regret it.” But "going big" doesn't always mean reckless; sometimes, it's the quiet, stubborn courage to chase an "absurd" idea — one brick at a time.

Good morning, and may today bring the courage to risk wisely — and live without regret.