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The Risk Takers
To live your dreams there will be risks, however, the alternative is to do nothing.
Theodore Roosevelt understood what it meant to be a risk taker. He said:
“I choose not to be a common man. Me, it is my right to be uncommon if I can. I’ll seek
opportunity, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen – humbled and dulled by having the
state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to
succeed. I’ll refuse to live from hand to mouth.
I’ll prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence. The thrill of fulfillment into the stale
calm of Utopia. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any friend. It is my heritage to
stand erect, proud, and unafraid, to think and act for myself and face the world boldly and say,
‘This I have done.’”
One of the first things children learn is to be careful. A child is shown the dangers of going on to the
roads; going near deep water; touching the stove; getting their fingers caught in a car door.
It is the correct role of parents to protect their children from dangerous situations.
An accident may place the child in a position where the consequences are irreversible. Not only does
this protection take place at a physical level but also at a moral level. The normal development of a
child dictates that all experiences should occur at the appropriate ages. To be exposed to certain
experiences before the child is ready can do irreparable damage.
It is under this value system that most of us have been raised and socialized. No one would argue with
this approach, however, there is an issue that comes from this that needs to be considered.
At the mature age of an adult have we continued this principle of safety to a level where it is stifling
our development?
Have we turned a virtue into a vice?
Have we become so obsessive and excessive with safety and security that it is stunting our growth?
Are we truly free when life is dominated by safety and security?
One of the elements essential for growth is that we must take risks. We must be risk-takers. This is a
horrifying thought to the safety-conscious. They are comfortable in their secure world as they see it.
To take a risk invites the element of failure into the equation. Failure is a word that is not compatible
in a winning society. For some people taking risks is equated with stupidity. When I talk about risk-
taking I am talking about calculated risks that allow for a margin for error. When a risk has been
evaluated you are in a position to determine the possibility of failure or success.
Your Angle of View
Recently I attended an air show to be thrilled by the noise and speed of the aircraft. The skill of the
pilots left one in a state of elation.
The crowds now looked upwards as the Roulettes came thundering in at speeds between 469/kph
and 590/kph at three meters apart. This famous Australian Air Force team thrilled the crowds with
what appeared to be near misses. From the angle of view one was sure that they would collide as
they went through their routines. Yet it was only from our angle that it appeared this way.
Taking risks in life has much to do with your point or angle of view. Of course there is an element of
risk in any aviation maneuver but these pilots have been trained to be risk-takers. All of their routines
have been calculated. They know where everyone else is at a given moment. They know the distance
of safety that is required. They understand the limitations of the aircraft, the speeds that must not be
exceeded, and the speed at which the aircraft will stall. All of these issues have been carefully
researched. There is no guesswork in their procedures. There are no extrapolations with the
knowledge they possess.
Unnecessary risks are never in the domain of good pilots. Good pilots understand that
“Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to even a greater degree than the sea, it is
terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.”
Many will not take risks because of the perceived loss. They fail to understand that by not taking risks
they suffer a greater loss.
In my former financial planning practice, clients would come to my office to discuss how to invest their
money. I would explain the advantages and disadvantages associated with various investment
strategies.
There were some people who were very careful with their money and refused to take any risks in any
way. Their money had to be invested in low interest accounts so that the security was one hundred
percent. They reasoned that no matter what correction there would be in the equity market it would
not affect the value of their portfolios. Their conclusion, in this regard, was sound, however, over the
long term equities will always outperform fixed interest. By being so careful not to lose money they lost
money.
So it is with life. You can be so careful not to lose but at the same time you will rob yourselves of the
rich experience that life has to offer. Earl Nightingale said:
“Whenever there is a danger there lurks an opportunity. Whenever there is an opportunity
there lurks a danger.”
Of course there will always be risks but proper planning can reduce these risks.
If we have a fallback plan or are prepared to readjust to the situation should unforeseen
circumstances arise, then we greatly decrease the risks.
We have recently witnessed a number of attempts to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon.
Most would agree that this is a risky project at any level. Those who were involved in the Richard
Branson attempt prepared for the adventure down to the minutest detail. While their attempt in 2001
was not successful there was no loss of life.
Very few will be required, or have the desire, to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon or do
some other adventure on the gigantic scale of Dick Smith.
Yet, for each of us, there are projects waiting and each project has some level of risk.
Decide what you want to do in life. It may be visiting some of the famous places in the world; writing a
book; painting a picture; making a movie; restoring a car; flying an aeroplane or commencing a new
business.
Once you have decided what you want to do, now you need to leave your comfort zone. Get up out of
your favorite chair and turn the television off.
Calculate the cost. Understand the risk that will be required. Seek out others who have done it and
speak to them to gather all the facts. Realize that there will be a price to be paid for achieving
anything worthwhile. The price may be in the form of money, energy, time, or practice.
While most people would agree there is a price required for whatever we do, few people have realized
that there is also a price to be paid for what we do not do, i.e. one price if you do, another price if you
do not.
You must decide what price you want to pay. Only you can do that. Always consider the price carefully
for whatever you choose to do.
Maxers make risk their friend, not their enemy. Do it now while you are able.
Many people have got to the end of their life and looking back wished they had taken more risks, to
fulfill their dreams.
Some years ago a survey was conducted in USA. Elderly people were interviewed and asked what
would they have done differently if they had life to live again. Many replied, “I would have taken more
risks.”
The above is an extract from the ebook "7 Ways to Live Life to the Max".
You can get a copy of this book, together with 4 other ebooks shown below - for $17 only.
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Here are the Contents for the eBook "7 Ways to Live Life to the Max"
1. Maxers Know The Big Picture While Not Ignoring The Small One
• Live To Fulfill The Measure Of Your Creation
• An American Psychologist
• Hierarchy Of Needs
• Characteristics Of Self-Actualizing People
• Competition In Life
• Nature And Environment
• The Eagle School
• We Are All One
• The Grand Design
• The Fifth Child
• To Reason Is Divine
• The Mysteries Of Life
• Know Thyself
• Knowing Our Progenitors
• His First Parents
• The Treasure House
• Another Window To Your World
• Spiritual Genetics
• Crossing Over
• Small Things Do Count
• It Was Only A Shoe box
• The Keys
• There Is A Process
• When The Student Is Ready The Teacher Arrives
• Our Great Teachers
• The Refiner's Fire
• What Was Happening To You In 1992?
• Gillian Barre Syndrome
• The Stolen Car
• The Recession We Had To Have
• Could Things Get Any Worse?
• Fire Is The Test Of Gold
• Adversity Overcomes Procrastination
• Freedom To Choose
• Why Decision - Making Is Difficult
• Operation Thunderbolt
• Time - Out Or Burn Out
• An Ancient Practice For A Modern Society
• The Sabbatical
• Why Not Design Your Own Sabbatical?
• Retaining The Newness
• Chapter Summary
2. MAXERS LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD
• The Seduction Of Life
• The Grass On The Other Side
• Money The Great Seducer
• Stuffed And Animated
• The Magical Tent
• That Car
• The Other Woman
• We Knew We Would Not Get It
• The Hitchhiker
• A Beautiful Mind
• The Other Voices
• The Ultimate Power
• The Temple Of Sais
• A Defining Moment
• Do Not Procrastinate Life
• The Cycle Of Life
• King Solomon
• The Seasons Of Our Life
• The Only Season Is Now
• Every Day Is A Great Day
• The Scapegoats
• The Buck Stops Here
• The Halcyon Days Of The Eighties
• The Crows And Canaries
• The Excuse Peddlers
• Chapter Summary
3. MAXERS LIVE BY A CODE OF ETHICS
• The Eternal Fitness Of Things
• The Sinking Village Of Yarraville
• What Will You Become?
• Why Live By A Code?
• Codes That Others Have Lived By
• Florence Nightingale
• Desiderata
• What Are You Prepared To Die For?
• The Fall Of Massada
• Walls And Fences
• The Freedom Fence
• The Wall Builders
• The Freemasons
• Rotarians
• Write Your Own Mission Statement
• The Secret Of Attracting Happiness
• The Result Of Ethical Living
• Honesty Is Still The Best Policy
• Trust, The Twin Brother Of Honesty
• The Wooden Bowl
• Ulterior Motives
• Chapter Summary
4. MAXERS LIVE THEIR DREAMS BY CONQUERING THEIR FEARS
• Actions Are Born Of Dreams
• The Language Waiting To Be Learned
• The Road Waiting To Be Traveled
• The Vicarious Experience
• The Book Waiting To Be Written
• Humanitarian Dream
• The Risk Takers
• Your Angle Of View
• The School Bully
• Preparation Eliminates Fear
• Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
• The Final Enemy
• To Live Your Dreams You Must Cross The Rubicon
• The Perseverance Factor
• Rabbi Akiva
• What Is This?
• Focus
• Landing Without Focus
• A Disciplined Mind
• You Were Created To Win
• Chapter Summary
5. MAXERS ARE LOVERS
• Love Is A Spiritual Fire
• In Jail
• Standing For The Teacher
• The Russian Immigrant
• The Hajj
• The Pilgrims
• Showing Appreciation
• Avoid Criticism Like The Plague
• If You Have To Criticize
• Accepting Criticism
• Become An Encourager
• Chapter Summary
6. MAXERS LET GO TO HANG ON
• Closure, The Elixir Of Life
• The Monks And The Maiden
• Steps To Closure
• Turning Back We Go Forward
• You Are Right Too
• Prevention Is Better Than Cure
• The Ambulance In The Valley
• Your Anger And The Sun
• The Anger Test
• Tips To Reduce Anger
• Flight
• Accommodations
• Force
• The Treaty Of Versailles
• Compromise - Let Us Meet In The Middle
• Collaboration - Doing It Together
• Civil War Surrender
• Chapter Summary
7. MAXERS GIVE AND KNOW THAT GIVING IS THE MEASURE OF GREATNESS
• To Get By Giving And To Lose By Keeping
• Our Greatest Gifts
• Chief Seattle
• Time To Give
• What Should We Give?
• A Gift Of Value
• We Are All Colonizers And Pioneers
• An Ordinary Life
• Teaching People How To Fish
• The Difficulty Of Giving
• Giving Of Yourself
• The Hands Of Albert Durer
• You Receive By Giving As Long As You Do Not Give To Receive
• I Cannot Give What I Do Not Have
• Levels Of Giving
• Giving Is Not Always Convenient
• We Are All Beggars
• Attracting Happiness
• Happiness And Joy
• Another Model
• Mother Theresa
• The Comfort Zone
• Change - The Only Constant
• Knowledge And Information
• Knowledge And Faith
• Faith, The Servant Of Knowledge
• Knowledge Is Power
• The Ultimate In Knowledge - Inspiration
• The School Door Is Always Open
• Chapter Summary
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8 weeks Money Back Guarantee!
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Your purchase through PayPal is secure.
You purchase is also fully guaranteed - if for any reason, you are not satisfied with your
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P.S. If you truly want to live life to the max, here is your chance to unlock the secrets. Grab
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Brought to you by Jacob Gan, PhD (Mich)
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