There are no safe choices. There are common choices. But there are no safe choices.
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Common choices seem safe, they aren’t. Uncommon choices seem risky, they are.
The truth is all choices are inherently risky because every decision involves risk.
Some risk people are comfortable with. Some they aren’t. The risk people are comfortable with is called the “safe choice.” The ones they aren’t comfortable with is labeled “risky.” The key is to work on becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Life = Risk
The number one reason people are uncomfortable with risk is failure. No one wants to fail. Unfortunately, very few successes happen without following a massive trail of failure. It’s easy to say that, but statements without examples end up being simply empty words. Luckily, there are a few massive failures that you might have heard of.
[click here to watch the video in email]
There are no safe choices, just less common ones. Life = risk. So if you’re going to live, you’re going to have to deal with risk.
Bring it risk. Do your worst.
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My friend Tyler is the best (and only) professional riskologist I know. Follow him if you want to learn how to take better risks.
People are uncomfortable with risk because of failure. And people are uncomfortable with failure because they fear it.
I learned from Peter Shallard that thoroughly understanding fear, how it changes the way we act, and what its main purpose is (to protect us), can help us overcome this silly fear of failure.
When you conquer fear, all of a sudden risks don’t seem so bad anymore. And like you pointed out… life = risks.
Want to live your life fully? Conquer fear.
I’m not always sure I conquer fear, I just try to not let it affect my decisions. Sometimes I do a better job than others :).
So you mean to tell me that you feel fear, but you still manage to stick with your decisions? That’s conquering fear haha!
I don’t think we can avoid the fear. Fear management is key. Our minds can’t help but recognize perceived danger or discomfort. That’s what I believe, at least.
You have to be ready to die if you want to really live.
You make a really good point here. Interestingly, I see this problem with people who fear writing. What could be safer than sitting at a computer and simply moving your fingers over a keyboard? But for many people the act of writing feels deeply dangerous.
The solution? I think it’s really important to separate the ACT of writing from the PRODUCT of writing. Don’t let fear of the latter stop you from doing the former. As you say, Joel, do your worst!
The funny thing about writing is it’s just that – writing. There’s nothing inherently dangerous about words…but once they’re written, they can be really powerful.
It seems the biggest risk is living an empty life. How can you risk looking back on your life in old age and realizing you did nothing? You didn’t even try. If my life flashes before my eyes one day, I want it to take awhile because there is so much life I’ve lived to see.
I love the idea of being “comfortable with being uncomfortable.” This notion that just living entails risks is encouraging.
It takes some getting used to but eventually, you get used to throwing yourself into things and figuring it out as you go. After a while, it’s kind of fun 🙂
Hi Joel,
I came over here after reading of your nomination from Steven Aitchison’s blog. Congrats.
I am glad to be here because you offer something so powerful for all of us to grow. Your exploits in extreme sports is admirable. Not many people can use those experiences to transform into life lessons for people to learn. You are one of those rare few.
This post is most appropriate the way I see it. If you have not the courage to fail, than you will be confined to walls of mediocrity. Success and achievements requires us to break that wall down and step out into something that has always been there waiting for us.
Cheers and excited to be here.
Thanks Jimmy. Glad you found me. Really appreciate the kind words. Let me know if there’s anything Impossible you’re up to that I can help with :).