Most unsuccessful people and organizations are highly successful and highly effective at risk aversion. They avoid risk, even prudent risk like the plague!
Actions speak louder than words. Most “losers,” most “ultimate failures,” most “unsuccessful” people avoid risk….particularly sound, carefully thought-out, prudent risk. These people and organizations are focused on avoiding perceived or real temporary setbacks and temporary “failures” rather than being focused on their current and future potential.
The vast majority of these people allow their concern about what others might think or say to severely restrict and limit their current and future potential. Think about it! These people and organizations literally trade their vast, virtually unlimited future potential and success for the perceived ‘peace of mind’ that at least they will not be criticized or “fail.”
The actions of these people are extremely sad, unfortunate and unwise! By doing nothing, by avoiding prudent risk, by not testing, stretching and retesting their personal and professional limits throughout their entire lives, these people and organizations guarantee failure… which is to say they guarantee they will never reach their full potential.
John Wooden, a man who was literally revered by those who knew and worked with him… a world-class leader, teacher and coach… defined success as follows:
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
The best of which you are capable! It is unilaterally impossible for any human being, including you and me, to even begin to develop one’s full potential with taking risk… over and over again!
You and I hear and read it virtually every day. The question is asked or implied… “How does one become successful?” One excellent answer, in my opinion, is as follows:
Take more risks… take more and more prudent risks… take more carefully thought-out risks… follow your instincts, build on your strengths and passions… but whatever you do… become the best of which you are capable… and that mandates TAKING MORE RISKS!
You will never know the best of which you are capable without consistently and enthusiastically taking more and more prudent, highly challenging personal and professional risks. There is no other way!
Please see the August 24, 2010 Tips for Success for more information regarding The Ten Commandments for Business Failure by Donald Keough.
