‘The Road Less Travelled’ by Dr. M. Scott Peck suggests ways in which confronting and resolving our problems, and suffering through the changes, can enable us to reach a higher level of self-understanding and begins with a very simple and powerful observation – ‘Life is difficult’.
When we are faced with difficulties, we are likely to make mistakes – and not just the odd one or two. True leaders do not regard this as something to be unhappy about – in fact, quite the contrary; they see mistakes as the price paid for gaining wisdom and achieving success.
Risk, in plain terms, is the possibility that mistakes will occur. Staying at home in bed all day can, of course, massively reduce it but it’s hard to imagine that the opportunities for success and fulfillment is going to be that great either.
Leaders, without being foolish, are willing and eager to embrace risk and in no way are frightened by it. They accept that the level of risk is an excellent predicator of the reward that awaits once the risk has been overcome.
This is not to say that mistakes, which are the manifestations of risk, are going to be painless. Mistakes can and frequently do cost money, they cost sleep BUT with the right attitude, they can also make you stronger. Great leaders often make plenty of mistakes but they see the experience as a basic requirement of gain.
Taking that old saying, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” consider if you agree with the following:
- When there is low risk and the promise of significant gain there’s normally a catch.
- Some of the best employees and business partners are often those who’ve suffered failure – if they haven’t suffered failure, then they probably haven’t taken risks and that’s a bad sign.
- An absence of defeats probably means that you’ve never had to recover from anything – and that raises question marks about hunger, desire and even character.
When faced with risk, you don’t have to be a daredevil, but if there’s a good chance of success then train yourself to focus on that outcome rather than the chances of failure. Too many people waste too much time worrying about catastrophes that never happen and that worrying can badly affect performance too. This is such a waste of valuable time and energy.
I have been in the real estate business for over 20 years and have seen it firsthand. People are always waiting for the perfect time to act whether it’s buyers, sellers, realtor, lenders, etc. Most people won’t do anything unless they are “sure” it is the perfect time. Well, we never know when the “perfect” time is at anything in life until after the “perfect” time has passed us by and we see it in our rear view mirror. And those who are always waiting, trying to time the perfect moment, do just that – they wait and they wait and they wait. They sit on the sidelines watching and never get in the game.
Why is that? Why are most people spectators? Because when we go for it and get in the game there is always risk no matter what it is. To be successful we have to be “Gamers” not spectators. We cannot be paralyzed by fear. Then once we jump in we have to go for it 100% or we are going to get hurt. It is like playing sports. The person who usually gets hurt is the person who is not 100% committed, the person who is timid or the indecisive one. Conversely, the people who are fired up and go for it 100% usually are the ones inflicting the pain..excelling. It does not matter whether it is football, soccer, snowboarding, investing, your job…we have to give it 100%…no, we need to give it 110%.
Remember, success always involves risk. We must take a chance by investing our time, money, and effort. It pays to be thoughtful and deliberate in our analysis of opportunities, but we cannot let fear hold us back. Because we have worked hard to develop those things we must risk, it is natural for us to place a high value on them. But what use are they if we do not put them to use? We will recognize opportunity only to the extent that we are willing to consider risking our time, money, and effort. Being confident gives us the courage to face risk and act when opportunity arises. No one on earth is going to force success upon us; we will find it only to the degree that we actively seek it out and ACT ON IT!!!!!
Remember, when everyone you know is doing, saying and feeling one thing, the right answer is probably to do exactly the opposite.
Have a powerful week and don’t be paralyzed by fear. That is what the masses are doing. Step out and go for it…be a GAMER!!!!!
Last Wednesday I had the privilege of attending the 17th Annual Silicon Valley Prayer Breakfast in Palo Alto. The theme was “Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life”. There were two incredibly powerful speakers. I walked out humbled and inspired. I walked out determined to find my meaning and purpose in life.
First was Tim Borland – in 2007 he ran 63 Marathons in 63 days. Why you ask? Tim’s life mission is to advocate for children in need by using his gift in endurance running. Click on the link below and watch this video – this is Tim’s meaning. This is his purpose:
Tim’s four keys to finding meaning and purpose in life:
- Focus on the needs of others before ourselves.
- Develop an accurate view and understanding of fear. He said fear of failure is a dream crusher.
- Be willing to risk it all.
- Pray for a God inspired vision.
Second was Joe Ehrmann. He played football for the Colts for 13 year and was named Colts’ Man of the Year. In the same year Ehrmann played in the Pro Bowl he watched his brother Billy loose his fight with cancer. This experience caused Ehrmann to rethink and reorder his priorities in life. Ehrmann spearheaded the construction of a Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore in memory of Billy. In the off-season, Ehrmann attended classes at Dallas Theological Seminary and, following his football career, he graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, specializing in urban ministry. He was ordained in 1985. Parade Magazine name Joe the “Most Important Coach in America” due to his tireless efforts to change the culture of sports. Joe and his wife Paula co-founded Building Men and Women for Others to help every man, woman and child reach his or her potential. He was also the recipient of the National Fatherhood Initiative’s Man of the Year Award.
This is his meaning. This is his purpose:
As a Pastor for more than 25 years of his life he has been with many people as their life on earth ends. He said – all people care about at the end of their life is who did I love and who loved me, and did I make a difference. Nothing else matters – not money, not fame, not power – nothing else.
Two ordinary men doing extraordinary things. So, what is your meaning and purpose in life? If you don’t know – find it!
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