If you are like me and most men, then you lived your boyhood constantly taking risks. Jumping from wall to wall, over the neighbors barking dog just to get to the park. Or maybe you would race downhill in anything with wheels to see who would win.
Didn’t we enjoy taking risks?
What happened?
We tend to be a play-it-safe culture these days. Well, at least that’s what happened to me. I rationalize with statements like, “I am a provider for my family, I can’t get hurt” or “I am too old to take that kind of risk.”
This isn’t all bad, of course. We’re built to evaluate our options, and choose the ones that will most likely ensure survival.
You should probably keep doing that.
Don’t Get Crazy Now
I’m definitely not saying to pick up a reckless random action out of the blue, like skydiving, just for the hell of it.
What I am saying is, there’s something in us that longs for a little bit of risk. That’s part of our wiring, too. This is why we’re drawn to watching epic movies, traveling to exotic places, watching or attending sporting events; heck, we still play sports like softball or pick up basketball.
I believe we know that in order to be victorious we need to face challenges and we need to struggle a bit.
Despite not always wanting to experience discomfort, we know that learning happens best when we stretch ourselves. It’s when we try new things, and fail, that we learn best.
In this way, taking risks is vital to learning, growth, and living a full life.
I believe there are 3 risks every man should take at some point in his life.
I Dare You to Take These 4 Risk
- Create Something
I believe every man was designed to create. And there are so many creative places to create.
What have you always wanted to make? Poetry, painting, writing, woodworking, music, business? The list is endless. What draws you in and captivates your creative energy?
The world needs you to create and cultivate! We need more men creating masterpieces in business, the arts, and leadership. Not to mention: studies are showing that creativity is linked to improved mental and physical health.
It makes you happier.
- Fall in Love
Yes you are likely to get hurt when you put yourself out there. But love is one of the most exhilarating experiences we can enjoy in this life!
If you keep yourself aloof, trying to spare yourself the hurt, you’ll only experience isolation, loneliness, and miss out on the opportunity to love, and be loved.
When you open yourself up to someone, show your insecurities and vulnerabilities it’s risky, because we could face rejection or shame.
But when it goes right, it is so beautiful: unconditional love.
- Speak Publicly
For most people speaking publicly is one of the top two biggest fears and it often ranks higher than the small fear of dying. WOW! That’s crazy, but I understand I’ve been there. I can remember sweating through all three layers of tops some of my first times speaking publicly. But, I was determined to master it. I know how important communication is and so I did the hard thing over, and over, over again, until the nerves and sweat lessened.
Understand that the nervousness, butterflies, and lightheadedness never ever completely goes away, I just know how to deal with it now because of years of practice. Warren Buffet recently stated that improving your skills as a communicator is the number one task anyone could complete.
- Be Mentored and Mentor Someone
Anytime my life has positively changed it has been largely due to the time, love, and work a mentor and I have put in. That and a ton of God’s grace.
Men need mentors. We need men in our lives who are willing to be there for us when we succeed, when we struggle, and even when we just downright suck.
My challenge to you is this: seek out a mentor.
Look for someone who has the fruit on the tree you desire in your life. After all, if you want to be a bad ass husband, you wouldn’t ask the guy who has been divorce 10 times.
After you have been mentored, the next right thing to do is mentor someone else. These relationships will be some of the most powerful in your life.
To Risk, or Not To Risk?
Well you should already know that answer. Take risks, gentlemen! Live boldly; constantly push yourself past your limits!
Lets change this world for the better!
