The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all – Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India

I’m a personal finance junkie so the first example of this that comes to mind is saving in “guaranteed” rate CDs which provide a guaranteed but low return, but typically does not even grow at the rate of inflation. You don’t risk money on market fluctuations, so it seems cautious. However, you’re actually guaranteed to lose money in terms of your purchasing power due to inflation.

On the career front, I see people stay in jobs or business ventures they aren’t happy with for too long. They can’t afford the risk of losing the income. In the meantime, they also lose the possibility of a better income elsewhere, or at least sustainability and happiness.

What are you missing by not making a move, making a decision, starting or ending something?

Where in your life – career, finances, relationships or somewhere else – are you too cautious?

Is the pursuit of caution actually opening you up to greater risk?