Risk is not only a part of running a business, but it’s also a part of everyday living. Running Staple, I often feel like a gambler sitting at a table tossing chips into the mix. I used to stress out about every single decision and possible repercussion. But then I learned to let it go. And good things started to happen. I just a read an article in Wired that aligns the same thinking.
リスクをとる事はビジネスをする上でだけでなく、毎日の生活にも必要です。Stapleを経営していて、僕自身をテーブルでチップを投げ込むギャンブラーに感じることが多くあります。以前は一つ一つの決断とそれによる影響を考える事に一々ストレスを感じていました。でも、それを気にしない事を学びました。するといい事が起こるようになりました。僕と同じ考えについてのWiredの記事を読んだばかりです。
“Among our primitive ancestors, those who ventured farthest from their caves in search of better food or who overcame their fear of fire accrued significant advantages over their meeker kin. That’s why a lot of us like the idea of living on the edge: It’s in our DNA to take risks…Done artfully and wisely, living dangerously engages our intellect, advances society, and even makes us happier.
A 2005 German study concluded that people who take above-average risks have a higher-than-average index of life satisfaction. Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that among business managers in the US and Canada, those who take greater risks are the most successful. More risk, more reward—not to mention livelier cocktail-party conversation.
On a bell curve, the timid and the reckless are the outliers. The one-third who are slightly more likely to take risks I call “The Golden Third”.
It is possible to work consciously toward joining “The Golden Third”: Just get in there and start pitching. As with knife-throwing, unicycle-riding, and whip-handling, one gets better mainly by practice. Make your choices smart ones. It’s not difficult to discriminate between a good, soul-enriching risk and one that’s just plain nuts.
The most successful adventurers take the high road of risk-taking without falling off the mountain. They channel neither Evel Knievel nor Caspar Milquetoast, neither lion tamer nor monk. That’s the golden art of living dangerously.”
This way of living might not be for everyone, but there’s no other way for me.
「私達の原始的な先祖は、より良い食物を探すため洞窟からより遠く探検した者、また火の恐怖を克服した者は劣る親類よりも遥かに有利でした。だから私達の多くはきわどい人生を送る事に憧れます。リスクをとる事は私達のDNAに組み込まれている．．．賢くやれば、危ない橋を渡る事は知性を養い、社会を発展させ、私達を幸せにします。
2005年のドイツの研究によると、平均以上のリスクをとる人は平均以上の人生満足度の指数を出します。ブリティッシュコロンビア大学の研究者は、アメリカとカナダのビジネス管理職者の中で、より大きなリスクをとる人はより成功している事を発見しました。ハイリスク、ハイリターン−そしてパーティーで、話しのネタにもなります。
釣鐘曲線の統計では、臆病な人と向こう見ずな人は異常値です。リスクをとる、残りの三分の一を私は「黄金の三分の一」と呼んでいます。
意識して働きかければその「黄金の三文の一」に入る事は可能です。ただ始めればいいのです。ナイフ投げ、一輪車乗り、鞭使い同様、練習が大切。賢い選択をするように。より良い、魂を豊かにするリスクとタダ単にばかげているリスクを区別するのはそう難しくはありません。
成功する冒険者は山から落ちずに、より険しい道を登ります。彼らにEvel KnievelやCaspar Milquetoast、ライオン使いや僧侶の魂が宿るわけでもありません。それが危険な人生を送る黄金のコツです。」
これは万人にできる生き方ではないけれど、僕にはこれ以外の生き方はない。
I think there are some other positive externalities that come with those who are willing to stick their neck out there… ones that ultimately contribute to a greater success as being part of “The Golden Third”. More risks = more experience and with it comes the ability to have better decision-making skills down the line. We all know mistakes are inevitable people builders and although it isn’t spelled out in this article, it’s a big determinant in whether you are onto next level or not.
Don’t work to achieve something. Let the environment do the work for you.
Don’t do the right thing. Just be in the right place.
Don’t change yourself. Just change your surroundings.
The best jobs I’ve ever had in my lifetime came from the simplicity of taking a chance and not knowing the outcome. Risk conjures so many positives vessels in your spirit. If you fail you cherish the lessons learned and become more humble and aware, if you succeed you learn to embrace that feeling and use it as a fuel to be even greater.
Brilliant.
I think the more risk we take, the more accustomed to it we become. It becomes calculated.
It becomes a part of who we are.
I agree, everyday I feel like I’m gambling with everything I have.
I’ve also noticed that in the states, people have become much more complacent. The general population does not like risk, they want consistency, they want a steady paycheck and normalcy in their everyday lives. I see their point, but I couldn’t do it. I like the unknown, I know that I can’t get to where I want to go without risk.
I’d rather try and fail, then never try at all.
Here is to the explorers, the gamblers and those who do not settle for comfort.
Agreed 100%.
Until 3 months ago, I lived a very complacent life in SF Bay Area working in Tech. I have since left my job, took a journey across the US and flew one way to Europe in search of a new career, new life and to start my own biz. The unknown can be frightening, but also very exciting. If you’re not careful, normalcy can kill the soul and I think I just dodged that bullet.