Successful People Take
Risks!
Too many people “play it safe.” This is the playground of mediocrity.
It’s where average people live. They colour inside the lines, and always play
by the rules. They fear the unknown, and rarely – if ever – venture outside the
boundaries. People who “play it safe” are predictable. Their life is run by
rules and routine. Their actions are often dictated by the opinions of others.
This is the crowd that fights to keep things the same…
Risk-takers, however, are a different breed. They live in the realm of
possibility and greatness. They are not afraid to live beyond the boundaries
and to colour outside the lines. To them, there is no such thing as failure;
only experiments that didn’t work! Risk-takers are marked by a sense of
adventure and passion. They care little for the accolades of the crowd. They
are more focused on squeezing everything they can out of every moment. They are
not afraid to “boldly go where no one has gone before.”
Success without risk?
Think about it. Try naming one historical figure that made a difference
by playing it safe and being average. The vast majority of successful people
are remembered for the difference that they made in their lifetime. And that
difference required them to take risks and challenge the status quo.
We are inspired by people who go beyond the norm and push the boundaries
of possibility. Mediocrity, on the other hand, does not inspire. Nor does it
lead to greatness. Success, however you define it, will elude you unless you
are willing to push the limits you have placed on yourself, and that others
have placed on you.
The Orville brothers would have never made their historical flight if
they had listened to the naysayers. Henry Ford would have never invented the
automobile if he had paid attention to his critics. David would have never
defeated Goliath if he had allowed his own family to discourage him. The list
goes on and on.
Every major breakthrough in history – in business, science, medicine,
sports, etc. – is the result of an individual who took a risk and refused to
play it safe. Successful people understand this. Their innovation is the result
of their adventurous spirit. They invent, achieve, surpass, and succeed because
they dare to live beyond the realm of normal.
Calculated risk
Successful people take risks, but they don’t take thoughtless risks.
Only a fool rushes in. Onlookers might interpret their actions as unwise, but
that couldn’t be further from the truth. People who achieve greatness take
calculated risks. They think things through and evaluate their options. They
research and gain the knowledge they need to make an informed decision. They
weigh the pros and cons. They ask the following three questions:
1. What’s the best-case scenario?
2. What’s the worst-case scenario?
3. What’s the most likely scenario?
In the age of the information super highway, getting your hands on
valuable knowledge has never been easier. Weighing your options, performing due
diligence, and “getting in the know” is more possible than ever. But what sets
successful people apart from others is that after they have conducted their
research, they ACT! They take the leap. They dare to charge ahead. They take the risk!
With most people, when all is said and done, more is ever said than
done. Under the guise of evaluating their options, they get caught in the
paralysis of analysis. Have you heard the saying, “knowledge is power”? Many
believe this statement to be true. If that is the case, why are so many highly
educated people not more successful? Knowledge only becomes power when it’s
acted upon.
Success needs action
When is the last time you did something for the first time? When was the
last time you pushed yourself beyond your limits? When is the last time you
took a real risk? The answers to these questions may reveal much about your
willingness to do what it takes to achieve your goals and dreams.
Many people have goals. Only few ever achieve them. Many people dream.
Few people ever turn those dreams into reality. Successful people understand
that risks must be taken in order to pull a dream out of the world of the
ethereal into the realm of the natural. It is one thing to have a vision. It is
a different matter altogether to be a visionary.
Take a moment to revisit your goals and dreams. As you review them,
think through what risks you may have to take in order to accomplish them. Are
you willing to risk ridicule, failure, misunderstanding, etc.? If you are, you
can experience success and the thrill of proclaiming, “Wow… what a
ride!”
Are you playing it safe?
Read Mark Frost’s quote. Read it slowly, out loud. Try placing the
emphasis on a different word or phrase each time you read it. Let its meaning
sink in. Now take a few minutes to write down what thoughts were triggered in
your mind. Think about areas of your life where you are playing it safe and
need to take greater risks.
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body. But rather,
to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming…. Wow! What a ride!”
Mark Frost
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Credits
