Throughout history, some of the most inspiring stories of success are fueled by boldness and a willingness to embrace risk. From entrepreneurs who defied the odds to pioneers pushing the boundaries of innovation, risk-taking can pay off. At times it has proven to be the driving force behind progress and breakthrough achievements. As we’ll see in the quotes about risks below, we can gain inspiration from daring individuals willing to take risks. They can teach us that stepping into uncertainty with confidence and purpose can unlock opportunities and reshape our futures.
As we draw encouragement from their journeys, we’re reminded that the greatest rewards often lie just beyond our comfort zones. Success may be waiting for those brave enough to take the leap. These quotes on risk-takers share what prompts people to take a risk and how they might be motivated by perceived benefits.
Inspiring Quotes on Risk-Takers to Push Us Forward
Risk-taking has always been the engine behind progress. Behind most major innovations or bold career moves are those who stepped into uncertainty with vision and grit. For example, Sara Blakely invested her life savings into an idea with no prior design or business experience—and turned Spanx into a billion-dollar brand. Even Howard Schultz bet on a small coffee company called Starbucks, envisioning something far beyond the corner café. These stories remind us that meaningful success rarely comes without risk. The sayings about taking risks honor the thinkers, builders and dreamers who’ve dared to take chances—and inspire us to do the same.
- “If you opt for a safe life, you will never know what it’s like to win.” ―Richard Branson, Screw It, Let’s Do It: Lessons in Life
- “We’ve greatly exaggerated the risk of sinking, without celebrating the value of swimming.” —Seth Godin, The Icarus Deception
- “We cannot allow ourselves to dwell upon the risks in every opportunity. Instead, we must seize the opportunity inherent in every risk, knowing that we must sometimes run the risk of going too far in order to discover how far we really can go.” —Jim Rohn
- “Be willing to take a risk. To be uncomfortable. To be bold.” —Sally Yates
- “Go into places and experiences that make you uncomfortable…. That’s where the growth comes. That’s where the confidence comes.” —Penny Pennington
- “The greatest risk to me is not taking advantage of that powerful opportunity that I feel like I figured out…. You’ve got to take that step.” —Ron Shaich
Related: 30 Inspiring Quotes About Never Giving Up
Sayings About Taking Chances, Because Risk Can Be Better Than Regret
In business and in life, the fear of failure can keep us clinging to comfort zones that quietly limit our potential. But what if the regret of not trying feels heavier than the risk itself? Taking a chance can lead to growth, discovery and even unexpected success. But, playing it safe too long can leave you wondering what might have been.
When you look back, it’s rarely the risks you took that haunt you—it’s the ones you didn’t. These business risk quotes are here to remind you: The cost of inaction can be far greater than the fear of failure.
- “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” —Sheryl Sandberg
- “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” —Tony Robbins
- “If missteps were welcomed, you’d encourage risk-taking rather than defensive behavior. Mistakes would mean that you’re setting ‘stretch goals’—leaving your comfort zone and attempting something new.” —Frank Sonnenberg
- “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” —Jeff Bezos
- “There is never a right time to take a risk; there is just right now.” —Fauzia Burke
- “If you have an opportunity to take a job where, say, you’ll double your pay, but it’s more high-stress, there’s a 10% chance that you’ll get fired… probably a good bet to make.” —Nate Silver
- “Entrepreneurs are not risk-takers. They are calculated risk-takers.” —Leonard C. Green
Related: Afraid of Risks? How to Be Bolder
Risk and Reward Quotes for Your Next Business Step
Taking smart risks in business is often the catalyst that transforms good ideas into extraordinary outcomes. When you step outside your comfort zone with calculated confidence, you open the door to innovation, growth and new opportunities. It can elevate your enterprise to new heights. These famous risk quotes remind us that the greatest rewards often come from the courage to take informed risks. After all, fortune often favors the bold.
- “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” ―Helen Keller, The Open Door
- “It is not the manager’s job to prevent risks. It is the manager’s job to make it safe to take them.” —Ed Catmull, Creativity, Inc.
- “Taking lots of small risks, when added up, may actually be a safer strategy than pursuing just one or two ‘safe’ options.” —Scott H. Young
- “In just about every area of life, you must risk in order to gain the reward. In love, you must risk rejection in order to ask that person out for the first time. In investing, you must place your capital at risk in the market in order to receive the prize of a growing bank account. When we risk, we gain. And when we gain, we have more to leave for others.” —Jim Rohn
- “Only when we are willing to take a risk and forego the security of the known can we create new opportunities, innovate new ideas, broaden capability, grow.” —Margie Warrell
Powerful Quotes About Taking Risks in Life
Taking risks in life is a powerful act of growth and self-discovery, opening doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain closed. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. While risks can lead to tremendous rewards, such as fulfillment and achievement, they also come with uncertainties that can bring setbacks or fears. The key is to approach risk thoughtfully. Understand that not every leap will land perfectly, but every attempt is a lesson in resilience. These “don’t be afraid to take risks” quotes share the same sentiments.
- “Life doesn’t always present you with the perfect opportunity at the perfect time. Opportunities come when you least expect them or when you’re not ready for them. Rarely are opportunities presented to you in the perfect way, in a nice little box with a yellow bow on top.… Opportunities, the good ones, they’re messy and confusing and hard to recognize. They’re risky. They challenge you.” —Susan Wojcicki
- “Make high-risk moves around the thing that will make you the happiest.” —Gary Vaynerchuk
- “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.” —Mark Zuckerberg
- “Taking a risk doesn’t mean gambling with your future. It means you follow your bliss but in a way that does not burn bridges.” —Fauzia Burke
- “Whether we like it or not, life is full of change, and often, change comes as a result of taking risks. Yet not taking risks in life for fear of discomfort and change often produces a life of isolation and underdeveloped potential.” —Christopher Cook
- “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” —Tony Robbins
- “Smart, well‑considered risk‑taking is essential to our growth and to exponential success, strong performance and leadership.” —Kathy Caprino
- “Every professional choice you make is essentially a bet…. Lots of us aren’t very good at thinking about risk in a measured way.” —Nate Silver
Related: 30 Brave Quotes to Inspire You to Be Yourself
Short Sayings to Remind Us Not to Be Afraid to Take Risks
These original quotes about taking risks and loving it by SUCCESS® contributors remind us that risk-taking is not an innate skill, but something that requires effort. Whether you’re looking to motivate your team or share a meaningful thought with your followers, these unique expressions can help. They are ideal for making your posts stand out and resonate with others.
- “Risk is the seed of change.”
- “You can’t unlock new doors with old fears.”
- “Risk isn’t reckless—it’s real.”
- “To rise, you have to reach past what’s certain.”
- “Your future is daring you.”
- “If it shakes you, it’s probably worth it.”
- “Comfort dulls. Risk reveals.”
- “The first step is the bravest one.”
- “Doubt protects nothing but the status quo.”
- “If it’s easy, someone else is already doing it.”
- “Careers grow when comfort zones shrink.”
- “Playing small keeps your talent hidden.”
- “The path to impact is rarely paved.”
- “If you’re never challenged, you’re not growing.”
- “Take the shot. Your career depends on it.”
Reap the Rewards of Taking Risks
Ultimately, risk-taking is an essential ingredient in the recipe for growth and fulfillment. While it’s natural to feel apprehensive about venturing into the unknown, embracing calculated risks can empower us to discover our true potential and create lasting impact. Every bold move, even if it results in setbacks, becomes a stepping stone toward resilience and innovation.
When we learn to navigate uncertainty with courage and clarity, we open ourselves to possibilities that can transform our lives and inspire others to follow suit. Remember: The most powerful progress begins when we dare to take that first step into the unknown.
Photo courtesy of Ground Picture/Shutterstock
