When we take a risk we don't typically think about taking someone along with us for the ride. Yet, sharing a risk is one of the best ways to improve your chances of success.
I have a friend who works shift work. When she has Sundays off we typically attend church services together. It is always a much more interesting event when we go together. One of us may hear something the other missed and share it or we just simply enjoy the event more having someone to hang with. I love to watch my favorite late night show with her also. The jokes always seem funnier when she is sitting with me watching the show.
A few years back I went skydiving with a girlfriend. She was recently divorced and wanted to experience the thrill of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. It seems like it is the thing that divorced people like to do. We jumped tandem - strapped to an instructor. It was probably the most exciting thing I've ever done. There is no denying our chances of success were much greater taking the instructor along for the ride versus jumping on our own - at least the first time!
Whether it is jumping out of an airplane or telling the boss what you really think about a project or idea, sharing the risk with another person can improve the chances of a successful outcome in so many ways.
Consider taking along a buddy the next time you venture out on a risk. It may improve your chances of success - or simply your enjoyment of the experience. Either way - it is a win.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Hazards Along Our Path
I love to play golf.
The most intimidating part of the game for me is the sand. The more sand traps there are on a hole, the more I think about the sand traps. And the more I think about the sand traps, the greater the chance I will end up in one.
Then again, the most intimidating part of the game for me is the water. The more ditches and lakes and ponds full of water, the more I think about the ditches and lakes and ponds full of water. And the more I think about the ditches and lakes and ponds full of water, the greater the chance I will end up in one.
So - I focus on the green and the hole and picture my golf ball dropping into the hole. I am aware of the sand traps and water hazards but I take care to avoid them and focus on the goal of getting the ball into the hole - with the least amount of strokes. Hmm - great in theory - but in reality it does more often than not work out for me.
The same is true for any risk we undertake. There will always be hazards and obstacles along the way. As long as we are aware of them we can take the steps to avoid them or prepare for them as much as possible. Sometimes they will still catch us, ones we didn't even consider possible, but more often than not we will be successful in spite of the obstacles in front of us.
Remember though - sometimes the obstacles we imagine will pop up on our journey don't always become an issue. So don't let the fear of a slim possibility keep you from taking the first step on your risk taking journey.
The most intimidating part of the game for me is the sand. The more sand traps there are on a hole, the more I think about the sand traps. And the more I think about the sand traps, the greater the chance I will end up in one.
Then again, the most intimidating part of the game for me is the water. The more ditches and lakes and ponds full of water, the more I think about the ditches and lakes and ponds full of water. And the more I think about the ditches and lakes and ponds full of water, the greater the chance I will end up in one.
So - I focus on the green and the hole and picture my golf ball dropping into the hole. I am aware of the sand traps and water hazards but I take care to avoid them and focus on the goal of getting the ball into the hole - with the least amount of strokes. Hmm - great in theory - but in reality it does more often than not work out for me.
The same is true for any risk we undertake. There will always be hazards and obstacles along the way. As long as we are aware of them we can take the steps to avoid them or prepare for them as much as possible. Sometimes they will still catch us, ones we didn't even consider possible, but more often than not we will be successful in spite of the obstacles in front of us.
Remember though - sometimes the obstacles we imagine will pop up on our journey don't always become an issue. So don't let the fear of a slim possibility keep you from taking the first step on your risk taking journey.
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