Wednesday, October 17, 2012

How to Unleash the Risk Taker in You


Mark Visser is a daredevil. I read about him in Hemispheres on the plane during my recent trip out to California for an agency retreat. Visser thrives on creating impossible stunts and then proves the impossible is possible. Think Evel Knievel meets Jaws. Those are the kinds of dares he likes to perform involving surfing mountainous waves at midnight. You know, run of the mill stuff.

A few sentences struck me in particular toward the end of the article on Visser. When asked if he thinks his latest project is too much for him, Visser answeredà

"Visser stops, looks out to the ocean where he first learned to surf, and ponders the question, ‘I’ve broken it down,’ he says, ‘and honestly think I have a strong chance of achieving everything I’ve set out to achieve. If anyone doubts it, that’s fine. I doubt things too.’ He loses himself in thought for a second. Then he turns back to me and says matter-of-factly, Anyway, what’s the point of setting a goal that’s easy?’”

We were challenged to dream big during our agency retreat.
This is not a problem for me. In fact, I thrive on this kind of brain buzz.

Today I’m giving you 8 ways to help you unleash the risk taker in you.

~ Visualize the Positive Outcome
~ Break It Down into Doable Feats
~ Dare Yourself
~ Refuse to Focus on What the Other Guy Thinks
~Don’t Germinate a Fear that Isn’t Meant to Grow
~ Change It Up (Was it Ben Franklin who once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”?)
~ Imagine the Specific Rewards (Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically, Mentally)
~ Seek Accountability

Have fun ruminating on the above. I’m off to surf mountainous plot concepts, story arcs, and character development that will blow you and I both out of the water someday.
Are you intentional about being a risk taker? Does this come naturally? What has helped you become more of a risk taker?

*photo by stock.XCHNG
**kicking around turning this into a series of posts like I did with What Women Want…please let me know in the comments if that idea appeals to you.

 

24 comments:

  1. ~Don’t Germinate a Fear that Isn’t Meant to Grow

    LOVE this!

    I'd definitely read more posts like this!

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    1. I need to read this post today. I don't know why my brain was so set on germinating those bad guys today...I swear. I really need to take my own advice!

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  2. I'm not naturally a risk taker. I like to play it safe. My husband has inspired me to be more of a risk taker because he's more fearless than I am. I think that's one reason we work so well together. I keep his feet on the ground. He challenges me to take risks.

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    1. My husband = the grounded one. I'm the one with my head in the clouds or stars or hot air balloons or anything that takes off. ;-)

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  3. A risk taker, I am not. I am so afraid of failure.

    But then again, as I think about this writing thing...just going after it is taking a risk, isn't it? Putting myself out there on my blog...that's a risk.

    So maybe I take more risks than I realize, because they're worth it. I like the idea that there's no point in setting a goal that's easy.

    And yes, I'd love this to be a series. :P

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    1. I loved Visser's quote. Motivating! And I've decided anyone who enters this industry by choice is cra-zy! Absolutely mad. Then again, we have no idea just what we're getting into in the beginning, do we? :D

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  4. I'm a cautious risk taker - if that's possible. :) I'm not one to go after a challenge for the sake of the challenge - I don't have the energy or the time. I'm more calculated about it. I need to know that what I'm going after is worth it, to me, to my family, to my friends - because almost all risks we take involve those closest to us.

    I'd love to see more about this. Thanks, Wendy.

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    1. Yes, I like that word. I think Visser is too. The article mentioned all the research he does before he carries out a stunt. I like the word wise. I aspire to be a wise risk taker.

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  5. Great thoughts! I'm not a risk taker at all. In fact, I'm rather a sissy when it comes to almost anything. But as I get older, maybe I'll shed the caution in favor of giving it all I've got.

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    1. Shed the caution! Shed the caution! See, I'm rooting you along in this.

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  6. Stepping outside of my comfort zone has been a challenge for me, but when I know it's God calling me to do something, I need to lean on Him and just do it! Love the wisdom you shared, Wendy!

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  7. Taking risks isn't easy for me. Thus, I'd love to see your posts exploring this subject in more depth, Wendy.

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    1. I deeply admire your risks in friendship and your loyalty--Keli, you risk more than you know. You stand out in this fickle climate.

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  8. Just realized this post wasn't pulling up in some readers. Bummer, mine didn't even pull it up until I went & looked for it. Hope it's in there now for those of you who have tried or who wanted to comment.

    Looking forward to returning to comment on those who've been able to get here! Love your visits!

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  9. I'm not a risk taker...at all! I like things safe and calm. But I also have big, risky dreams so your point on breaking our goals down into doable bits is what I need to focus on. When I look at the entire thing in one piece, I could just cry!

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    1. Yeah, maybe that's what I got hung up on most of today. The big fat hairy enchilla. Little bites. Little bites. Ah, much better. (And ew for hairy enchilladas.)

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  10. So not a risk taker by nature. But certain things are worth it (like writing books and flying to CA to hang out with you). :)

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    1. And those things teach us to risk more. Did you read this article in Hemispheres?

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  11. I'm concentrating lately on "Refusing to focus on what the other guy thinks." I'm such a play-it-safe kind of girl in most things in life, but the one area where I can afford to take a few risks is my writing. I'm constantly asking myself, "What do I have to lose by making certain choices?" I mean, I've tried the play-it-safe route...

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    1. I thought about this one afterwards. Want to make sure I'm not advocating to blow off what others feel, but more how we shouldn't let the doubters dissuade us or as Bono puts it, "the bastards grind us down". I thought Visser worded it well. It's okay if others doubt us, some of that is natural, but if we keep the flames of determination fanned we begin to realize no one can put out our fire. Yeah baby!

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  12. I'm a risk taker and I sometimes have to reel myself in a bit. But I'm also a people-pleaser and have to overcome the urge to worry about what people think. That really does stop you from taking risks that might be good for you.

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  13. I'm not a natural risk taker. My late husband gave me a much-needed push to begin writing for publication. I'm so glad he did. It's tougher without his support, but I've been blessed that my Mom has stepped up to the plate and encouraged me. My critique partners and church family also keep me on track.

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