Our most important decisions turn on understanding our fear.
Is the potential reward worth the possible risk? What are the chances?
My landscaping boss when I was nineteen needed me to consider consequences. After all, I was handling a chainsaw near clients' homes. A conservative approach is always best when holding a running chainsaw.
I've been rewarded for taking risks as an instant replay and edit technician in live sports TV. I've gotten good replays on the air because I was willing to be aggressive. I've also pushed the editing speed envelope, creating relevant and compelling highlights in the moment.
Once I accidentally aired a coach saying the F-word. That was embarrassing, and not just to me and coach.
Still, no one lost a limb and no one's home was damaged. I never would have pushed that hard with a chainsaw in my hands.
When we take a risk, pushing through the fear, sometimes we fail. If a failure is less than catastophic, we inevitably learn from it.
Given all of this, making good choices when fearful is crucial to personal satisfaction, success and happiness. It is important to feel and think in the moment of fear.
Seth Godin argues that "safe is risky" but some people still use chainsaws at work. Risky is still risky for those folks.
Accidentally dropping an oak tree on someone's new truck could be a learning experience, but it may not matter, as you are unlikely to have an opportunity to try again.
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