I stumbled upon this little piece of wisdom yesterday and it got me thinking. Yes, we must go to the edge to really experience what it is to be there. But should we? Isn’t it dangerous to walk on a thin line? Yes it is. Is it worth it? You bet.
Why live life on the edge?
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect - Mark Twain
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I’ve always been a risk-monger and I find it really hard to stick to things that are not in coherence with my dreams. The society that I live in believes in the ‘work hard > save > retire’ scheme (ridiculous!). They give me every reason why I will fail if I don’t stick to ‘the rules’. But I like going out of the way, even if it’s a 20-80 chance for success. Why?
Big idea: You cannot give your best shot at life if you’re happy playing safe. A few reasons why you must take risks and live life on the edge:
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- It’s fun to be out on the edge. Isn’t life meant to be an adventure? Why not go as far as we can to see what it’s got?
- Puts more living into your life. Have you seen the walking dead? I meet many of them everyday. They play ultra-safe and do the same things over and over again for 20 years or more (Scary, isn’t it?)
- Breaks the norm. The rules of the society, unlike science and law, are based on collective assumptions of the people in the society. Take the road less traveled and feel the power!
Everything popular is wrong - Oscar Wilde
- You do what you want. It’s an amazing feeling to be free. So take control. Even if you don’t do well, you’ll be happy.
- Life is all about the edge and how much you risk. Papa Wallenda, the great wire walker said it better than I ever could:
Life is lived out on the wire. The rest is just waiting.
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So go as far as you can. Push the envelope.
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Get a life!
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I’d like to share a few more thoughts:
- Failures are short cuts. If you fear failure, chuck those thoughts now. Failing will only make you wise. Experience is not about the years, it’s about how much you learn. Keep failing and you are bound to succeed at some point.
- Risk mongers make the future. They are the ones who venture into unknown waters to make the world better. We are indebted to the Martin Luther Kings and Gandhis and Wright Brothers and many others who had the courage to tread the risky road.
- Bow to the free spirit. We are born to succeed. Life wants us to win. But we often get in our own way and sabotage everything. So, do what you are born for and don’t let anything hold you back. You are a free spirit! :)
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Links to related articles and products:
How to Take Risks | Briankim.net
No Risk, No Fun? People Who Take Risks More Satisfied With Their Lives | ScienceDaily
Head, Heart and Guts: How the World’s Best Companies Develop Complete Leaders
Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk
Edgewalkers: People and Organizations That Take Risks, Build Bridges, and Break New Ground
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Thanks for this entry! When you play safe it is difficult go to the edge.
Two thoughts come to mind when I read this:
1) Risk / Reward are two sides of the same coin. Once people truly understand that… really feel it, then they start to realize that by achieving a balance between the two is when they shine the fullest.
2) On the topic of failure, I once heard a quote “The fear of failure is the death of success.” We all hear stories about Edison and the lightbulb… he didn’t fail 1000 times, he just found 1000 ways that didn’t work. Colonel Sanders took his chicken recipe to over 60 different people who rejected it.
Time and time again we hear about authors who got rejected by publishers until either one of them finally picked their book up, or they self-published… both ways eventually ending in success.
One final quote on failure I really think drives the nail home:
“You only fail when you don’t get back up.”
So true :) So true :)
i know im livin tonight
Another great article. I think when we limit the amount of risks we’re willing to take, we limit our opportunity.
http://jonathanmead.com - Authenticity, Clarity, Balance
Yes Jonathan, if we don’t take many risks we cannot get anywhere in life. I like people who have a passion for life and play it big :)
Thanks for posting my photo!
Great post.
cheers,
JON.
theradblog.com
Great post, just like always. When I’m entering your blog I’m always sure I won’t regret it. Continue writing.