Imagine playing Russian roulette by putting a single bullet in a six-shooter revolver, spinning the cylinder, placing the barrel to one’s forehead and pulling the trigger. Crazy? But there are people that skydive, bungee jump off bridges, and take deadly drugs. All of these actions could be considered life-threatening. Yet, other humans are taking risks every day just by driving their cars, flying on airplanes, or breathing polluted air. So, what exactly is a “risk?” According to Webster’s dictionary, it’s: “the chance of loss or peril or exposure to a hazard or danger.” With that definition, simply getting up in the morning could expose one to any number of potential problems from catching a cold, tripping on the living rug, or cutting oneself while shaving. With that said, the only way to avoid such disasters is to live in a virtual bubble.

Barring that impracticality, most of us are willing to live with a normal amount of risk. Some of us are apt to take more risks than others. We gamble in casinos or buy lottery tickets, go on amusement park rides, ski, hunt, or participate in other semi-dangerous events. But these same adventurers may be very conservative with their money. They are willing to surf in shark-infested waters, but loathe to invest in the stock market for fear of losing a solitary dime. It’s an interesting phenomenon.

Franklin Roosevelt stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” It prevents many of us from moving forward in our personal lives. We stay at dead-end jobs because we fear it’s the only place that will have us. We fear asking for a raise. We fear opening a business because of possible failure. Let’s examine that last one more closely.

Many of us are quite capable of, and have the finances for, starting a business, But, because we lack the self-confidence, we rebel against using our own hard-earned money to back the venture. After all, what if it fails? Then, where’s our security? Have you ever heard of the expression, “nothing ventured, nothing gained?” Imagine if Sam Walton or Bill Gates had second-guessed their vision for Wal-Mart or Microsoft. We would be without two of the largest companies in the world. History is riddled with risk-takers that failed for years until they achieved success. I can guarantee one thing for sure: if you don’t try, you won’t accomplish anything.

If you have already decided you can’t win, then you can’t. Putting one’s own money into a business is a way of acknowledging your own faith in yourself. It also shows that you want to make a difference within your lifetime. If you don’t try during this lifetime, then when? Most inventors with great ideas are merely that. They have ideas. It’s the ones that go the whole distance to get the inventions to market that are entrepreneurs. They are the one’s that will be remembered. But it takes time and money, among other things. And of course, that means risks. For many, that’s just too much to ask. They would rather have the bigger car, house, fancy home entertainment centers, or other frills.

It would require self-sacrifice to invest in one’s self, and that’s unthinkable. So they go on cussing their boss, stressing over the bills, and are plainly miserable in their current situation. But they do have some savings that are earning two percent in the bank and are content to spend five hours a day watching television. All the while, they could be creating a business plan to create a company or product or service that would provide for themselves and future generations. Would that be worth the risk? Would that secure their place in history? Would that be something that would make you feel successful or do you grab the TV guide and see what’s on tonight? It’s your choice.

Jeffrey Hauser
http://www.poweradbook.com