The headline read, “Renowned climber dies in Himalayas.” I don’t know what drew my attention to a small article at the bottom of the page, tucked in the middle of a recent edition of the Columbus Dispatch.
Above all, he was a supreme climber who moved the boundaries of possible. He had an amazing gift and amazing strength. He was a mountaineering genius whose accomplishments have been admired by the whole world.” [Comments made about veteran climber Tomaz Humar who was found dead in the Himalayas after he was injured and stranded.]
As I read the account, I wondered if — at the end of his life — this gifted climber felt the risks were worth the payoffs of reaching higher, being among the first to go solo, winning awards, and enjoying international fame.
This news story caused me to reflect. To question my own actions.
How does one know when to take the risk or take a pass?
To jump in the game or sit this one out?
When the next step is one step too far?
When innovation and courage becomes reckless?
I wondered if I may have been too quick to take risks in the past, cheered outlandish bravado instead of properly inspecting liability, treated the future carelessly. The introspection and questions continued to linger.
Well, as luck would have it, I discovered answers a few days later — in the Sports Section of The Wall Street Journal of all places.
The article, “What’s so great about punting?” related how Coach Belichick was being ridiculed because he had recently made a risky decision which cost his New England Patriots the game to the Indianapolis Colts.
The call in question was to go for the yardage rather than play it safe and punt. The result caused Belichick to be called a fool and pundits declared it the worst coaching decision they had ever seen the coach make.
Hey, I thought, at least my foul-ups aren’t broadcast on television, discussed during post-game shows, and dissected in national newspapers.
But what I found to be most interesting was the research presented later in the article. According to a recent study, people have an overwhelming tendency to make the supposedly safe choice — to err on the side of caution — even though doing so may lead to worse results.
Players who did something aggressive were more successful
than those who did something offensive.
Subjects made four times as many passive mistakes
as they did aggressive ones.
People embrace caution because of the regret they face
when it doesn’t turn out well for them.
It didn’t work out for Belichick this time. But what if it had? Research shows that more often then not, the real gamble is playing it safe. Maybe the coach’s decision wasn’t that risky after all.
I realize every risk won’t result in success. That my decision might be dangerous and uncomfortable, and I may suffer loss. But I also know that I will never reach distant shores if I choose to remain upon the dock, fearing that my little ship of dreams may be dashed upon the rock [F. Bolen].
If mistakes will be made whether I go for it or not, I figure I might as well embrace the risk. Climb to the top and enjoy the view. Push away from the dock and head toward the distant shore. Live the life I’ve imagined.
“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself” [Soren Kierkegaard].
Whatever you are, dare to be a good one!
Deanna
Whatever You Are, Be a Good One 