For all those ambitious careerists who aspire to do good work so that they themselves -- either by climbing to the top of their field or making a real impact on how their companies do business -- how can you smartly manage risk? After all, it's not productive to throw yourself into every opportunity and take on every task that comes your way. Sometimes, there's a reason why your gut is in knots or your colleagues aren't behind your ideas from the start. At the same time, you don't want to be so risk-averse that you miss out on (rare) great opportunities that suddenly appear. My Global Career blog has some tips for helping you find the right balance when it comes to taking risks in your career. Trust your instincts. Don't wait until you're absolutely sure about something before making a decision; by the time everything lines up, it's often too late. Once you have a good idea, don't overthink it -- act on it and push through. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're working on a project or job where you lack experience, don't hesitate to work hard and seek assistance. And if you're shy about asking for help -- which cuts down on your visibility with your boss or co-workers -- you're putting yourself at a disadvantage. Project positive energy. Fear, stress and uncertainty can be your friends, not foes, as long as you use them as motivators rather than inhibitors of your energy and action. Get used to tolerating these uncomfortable feelings. Remind yourself that there's no progress without taking another step into the unknown. Anticipate and act. Don't let your decisions become reactive ones. Think like an athlete, and practice positioning yourself where the action is most likely to happen. Learn from failure. Some of the most important lessons we learn in life are from our failures. As long as you've given something your best effort and acted with integrity, people will be forgiving.