Passionate Theme of the Day: Risk
PMP Song of the Day: Have a Talk with God – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life

“There’s only so much you can learn in one place. The more that you wait, the more time that you waste.” ~Madonna - Jump

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~Anais Nin

“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” ~Charles Dubois

Today I’ve been chewing on the idea of risk. Taking risks. Risking it all. Going for it. Taking the leap. Why some people are more inclined to take risks and others aren’t. Why sometimes we’re easily able to “risk it” in certain area’s and not others.

Then I stumbled across this article from the Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As keynote speaker for the commencement ceremonies this past May, Youtube co-founder Jawid Karim, shared his success story and words of wisdom with the eager grads. You can read the full article here or…

Here’s the highlight reel:

•Stay informed about your field of study
•Be persistent
•Take risks while you can
•Stay flexible

The lesson in all that, he told the graduates, is this:

"Remember, the world is waiting on you to create the next big opportunity,” Karim said. He then played a concluding video message from Matt Harding, the dancing guy. Harding congratulated the graduates then told them: “As your last academic requirement, I want every last one of you to get up out of your seats and dance badly."

I dig these insights. It’s nuts and bolts. Back to basics. No BS. Just do it kinda methodology. Why is this advice so hard to follow? We all know why…say it with me now…F.E.A.R. That dirty, rotten scoundrel of an emotion. That demonic little sniveling, driveling voice that likes to stop us dead in our tracks.

“If we listened to our intellect, we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go into business, because we’d be too cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” ~Annie Dillard

If we want to power through the mundane, push past the past, break on through to the other side...we MUST take risks. Whether we’re talking relationship/romantic risks, business/career and professional risks, risking our art, our heart or our soul – it is absolutely imperative that we throw our hat in the ring.

We must dig deep and seek out the support of our own inner champion. Call on your inner Rocky Balboa (The original Rocky #1, not like the puffy, old crusty Rocky). Put on the gloves, pop in the mouth guard, pull on the shiny boxers and kick some ASS!! (I’m feelin’ feisty today, can you tell?).

When you’ve weighed the pro’s and con’s. Written the lists. Created the vision board. Mind-mapped it out. Called upon the counsel of others. Pondered and chewed and mulled over it. What’s that next step?

Action, man! It’s action that’s required. Yes, there may be risk involved. But what is the alternative? This is your LIFE we’re talking about. It’s no joke. You are NOT insignificant. You living passionately and on purpose creates a ripple effect out into the galaxy and far beyond that which we can even imagine.

So what do you need to take that first step today? What do you need to really pry your hands off the sterring wheel of control and perfectionism and say, “WTF! I don’t care if I do this right or perfect or how I think my friends/family/significant other/boss/editor/guru thinks I should. I’m gonna just do it. And I’m gonna do it MY way.”

Take a page outta the Frank Sinatra School of Succulant Living, and “Do it YOUR way”. Cuz at the end of the day…what other way should you do it? Like Karim stated in his article:

Stay informed about your field of study - Read. Ask questions. Be curious.
Be persistent - Knock on doors. Ask for help. Get back on that horse and ride.
Take risks while you can – You ain’t getting’ any younger. You have more opportunities than you can even imagine. You have everything you need to succeed right NOW.
Stay flexible – Roll with the changes. Go with the FLOW. Trust your gut.

If this little pep talk wasn’t enough of a kick in the pants, or shot in the arm, perhaps these risk related links will inspire you!

Seth Godin: Marketing – Take a Risk?

Gaping Void: Good Blogs Require Taking Risks. Get Over It.

Eightbar: Taking risks and blogging

Christine Kane: It might be time to take a risk if

Penelope Trunk: You Don’t Need to Love Risk Taking to Start Your Own Business

Empowerment 4 Women: Taking Risks

The Wilder Zone: Taking Risks

What’s worth risking today so that you can live the life or your dreams tomorrow?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

Peace & Great Balls of Fire,
The Kaminator

ps...thanks to my bloggy buddy Troy Worman at Orbit Now! for the kick-ass tip o’ the hat. Here’s your linky-love, love