CBAs Motivational Collection for WEEK 9, 2007
The science fiction author Ray Bradbury tells us, “Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.” We’ve all taken risks in our lives; some small and sadly, others smaller. It’s the achievers in life that have learned from each risk; small at first, then a bit bigger gradually moving ahead to larger risks. They become stronger by continually taking bigger and larger risks, becoming stronger and “riskier” after each hurdle is overcome as they continue on a path of achievement throughout life. I like what JR Ridinger, CEO of Market America, states about the success of “risk takers”, “The person who fails simply has not done what the person who has succeeded has done”. In this article, let’s visit the tenth letter of the CBAs and explore the word “risk”.
Start with lower cliffs
In my marketing/customer-service classes and seminars, I ask attendees to write out five or more successes that they’ve had in life. Many times I need to remind them that winning a grade school poster contest, being chosen for little league, and having their spouse-to-be say “yes” are all successes. We’ve all had millions of these “successes” ranging from small to large in our pasts; now when we come up against a wall, mountain or obstacle of any kind, we can look back and say, “If I’ve done it before, I can do it again”. With this impetus, we can get around it, over it, under it and even through it if we have to, because if we’ve done it before, we surely can do it again!
Learn from the eagles
Mother eagles place sticks and sharp objects in the nest to encourage their babies out of their comfort-zone-nests and will actually push them out if they don’t get the idea on their own. I’ve learned that life can place trouble and failure like a raging tornado right in our path, so I remind myself to search for trouble and failure or at least acknowledge it. This way I can see it coming and prepare. A.D. Kessler states, “ Expect anything. Be surprised at nothing, and you’ll be prepared for everything”. I also like the approach Darren LaCroix, a speaker on the topic of humor shared with me. He said he joined numerous Toastmaster clubs to “increase his opportunities for failure”. He knows what I’ve said for years, “It’s OK to fail, just fail forward”. LaCroix increased his chances for failure and in so doing, increased his chances for succeeding. In 2001, Darren LaCroix became the World Champion of Speaking.
One “Ray Bradbury” experience I often look back upon to encourage myself that I can go forward when a new challenge stares me in the face, is a teaching interview I had. Like Bradbury, I jumped off a cliff and built my wings on the way down. The position called for an instructor who could teach both Design Fundamentals and PowerPoint. I understood the fundamentals of design and felt secure in teaching the basics. I confidently stated that I could teach both classes. Because I could not do a quick keyword search on Google, I promptly went home and asked, “What is PowerPoint”? I was hired, got the textbook, and rising two hours earlier each day before class I stayed at least two chapters ahead of my students. Painting myself into a corner in this experience and others, has forced me to become better in all areas of my life. Of course, like you, I’m working to be more like those who have conquered big fears- because the results are big rewards! A.D. Kessler conquered the giants of fear when with his last $100, bought a piece of property worth about a million dollars and sold it within a week making about $250,000 in the transaction! He conquered big because he thought big!
Don’t make your own bungee cord
You really don’t have to worry about taking risks that you can’t handle. Usually life will give you something just outside your comfort zone, so trust yourself, make the decision, the commitment and do it. Remember too that you don’t have to “reinvent” the wheel or make your own bungee cord. Others throughout time have used all of the success principles in the areas of your personal goals and you can learn from them. Robert Schullar, Norman Vincent Peale, (or your own pastor) can show you the way in the spiritual area. Dr. James Dobson, Oprah, may offer aid in family and relationships; Tony Robbins and Marva Collins shine in areas of mental and educational goals. Dr. Phil offers advice in social skills and you can read books by Vince Lombardi and Pat Riley in the arena of recreation. Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump teach financial literacy. My point is that there are mentors for every area of your life goals when you diligently seek to improve.
Dare yourself to go forward and do, yes, dare and do. In five years, presumably, you’ll be five years older. Why not be five years farther along with your goals as well? Don’t wait for others or life situations to cause you to “have” to get out of your comfort zone; build your well today before you need the water tomorrow.
We’ve all heard the question, “If everyone else jumped of a cliff, would you”? The premise of my CBAs is to look at what the other ninety five percent are doing and do the opposite. Don’t worry, “everyone else” is not jumping off the preverbiel cliff. Ninety five percent of everyone you see are content to stay in their “home-to-work-work-to-home, home-to-work-work-to-home, home-to-work-work-to-home, home-to-work-work-to-home, home-to-work-work-to-home (and that’s just one week) comfort zone”; too content where they’re at to jump and build their wings. I invite your to go ahead and jump. Just remember, don’t make your own bungee cord, learn from other eagles who have succeeded in the areas you desire and you’ll find that even the highest cliffs will seem lower and become simple “steps” to your higher expectations.
© 2007 Ter Scott You may request to use this article on your website when you link back to www.terscott.com . Please inquire by email to terscottpromotes@yahoo.com |
