We constantly navigate various risks and uncertainties. One crucial aspect of personal development often overlooked is determining our individual "safety margin...
I think of a personal safety margin as the amount of uncertainty or risk I can tolerate before I feel exposed. It can apply to money, work, relationships, and health, and it will differ from person to person.
For example, someone with savings and a professional network may feel more comfortable changing jobs or starting a business. Someone with fewer resources may prefer the security of their current role. The same difference can affect how much debt someone is willing to take on for a home or car.
It helps to know what kind of buffer makes a decision feel manageable. That buffer can change as our circumstances change. The goal is not to avoid every risk, but to understand what we can afford to take on and where we want more security.