The headline actually makes me laugh because it brings flashbacks of grade one and how my fellow motivational colleagues (other poorly dressed grade ones with god-awful haircuts and bad teeth) would use that line to try and get me to do something that I was either too reluctant or too terrified to do.
But I have found myself thinking more about this line of late and how relevant it still is and how it connects directly with the here and now in terms of who we are and who we may or may not become.
Because here is the thing…we are all driven by fear…even now. It either drives us to succeed in a particular area (not necessarily a good thing) or it drives us to accept mediocrity and settle by playing life safe and taking as few risks as possible.
In my case, it was the latter. Being a big fat scaredy cat drove me to take fewer risks in a number of areas of my life; not all, but specifically in the areas of relationships and the work that I do.
As I read that last line, I realize it comes off like I have since conquered both those areas. That would not be the case and should I ever claim that I have, feel free to…
a) call me a big fat liar;
b) call me a liar liar pants on fire;
c) spray me with a fire extinguisher because you only read the last two words in option b.
I am and forever will be a work in progress to put it mildly. I am more like a really long highway that will always be under repair. Once one section is complete, another is designated for improvement. I just don’t come with a sign, a t-shirt or a tattoo that says, “Under Construction.”
Embracing risk…
But here is the thing that 2009 has taught me. Spectacular things begin to happen when we are willing to smash through the barriers of our comfort zone and resolve to create change in whatever area frustrates or saddens us the most.
In my case, it was my career. I was done working with people who talked values, but did not live them. I was done working with people who praised people in public, but ridiculed them in private. I was done working with people who did not have the best interest of others at the core who of they were and the work that they did.
And a funny thing started to happen. I began to attract and work with people who not only talked values, but lived them; who not only praised people in public but in private as well; who had a primary drive to create a legacy that involved work that made a difference in the lives of others.
What’s more, I began to act on things I had always wanted to do but managed to put off or hide from.
For instance, I started this blog. Some might think that isn’t much of a risk, but for me it was bigger than quitting my job during the worst economic climate in our lifetime.
Why? Because the blog is all me baby…my ideas, my philosophies, my solutions. I can’t hide behind anything with the blog. It is 100% Dean.
Redefining risk…
But my blog journey is also analogous of risk and how it should be viewed.
Unfortunately, many see risk as an all or nothing prospect. It isn’t, and it’s dangerous to view it as such. That’s like diving into unknown waters not knowing how deep it is.
Imagine risk as if you are standing at one edge of a cliff knowing you want to get to another, much higher cliff that is way off in the distance, but one that you simply can’t get to if you tried to leap at this very moment.
Oh you could try, but you would end up like Wiley Coyote holding up one of those signs that says, “Oh shit!” before you plummet to your emotional death.
Instead, view risk as a process of building platforms (or stairs), that allows you to leap from one platform to the next as you move towards your desired destination.
If the platform is too high or poorly constructed you have the luxury of falling quietly (I prefer to call this failing quietly) with only a few bumps and scraps. Recovery is quick and painless allowing you another opportunity to once again try and ascend to the next platform.
Constructing my platforms…
The blog allows me to quietly begin building my platforms. I mentioned in an earlier post, that I want to be a published author. Well, if I approached publishers today, I would most likely get squashed beyond recognition as I have little evidence at this time to support that I can write or that there is a market for my idea.
With the blog, I can experiment with my writing while slowly building my audience-which is growing nicely thank you very much.
Sure I will fall flat on my face along the way. Some posts will fail miserably. Readership will stagnate. Negative comments will filter in. But all these will be minor scrapes and bruises on my journey. I will simply pick myself up, dust myself off and try a new tactic.
So here is my question for you.
What area of your life is really unsatisfying at this point in time and what is the first step you could take to begin building your platform which would allow you the luxury of failing quietly?
To ideas worth quitting,
Dean
*****
I will use Friday’s as Word-of-mouth Day! Today, I gently (no tazers will be used on you I promise) encourage you to spread the word about Quitbit. You might:
- Forward the link to someone you think would be interested
- Link to a post on Twitter (and follow me @deandwyer)
- Put a link to the blog in your Facebook status update
Thanks! I really appreciate any help. Word of mouth is the BEST.
