Risk Going Too Far

Success is an anchor. You don’t move ahead for fear of losing what you have. It’s easy to take risks when you don’t have anything to lose.

Fear of taking risks destroys dreams.

“Only those who will risk going too far
can possibly find out how far one can go.” T. S. Eliot

Going too far is pushing to the point of failure. You never know how far you can go until you’ve failed.

Going too far is:

1. Pushing your talent beyond its capacity. Warren Buffett said, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.”
2. Accepting challenges you’ve never attempted.
3. Expecting untested people to step up.
4. Calling tested people to step up in untested arenas.

Seven questions:

1. Can you live with not trying?
2. Who should you invite into your life before you push forward?
3. Is it possible to avoid an all or nothing situation?
4. Can you identify risk points where failure isn’t’t final?
5. Where is recovery easier if you fail?
6. What contingency plans can you make?
7. How can you find “ands” rather than “ors?”

Didn’t work:

Going too far is inevitable. I’m often asked how I write so much. I have so much to say because I fail so frequently. I know what doesn’t work.

Every successful leader has a bucket of wisdom
filled with things that didn’t work.

The danger of failing by pushing too far is:

1. Refusing to do it again.
2. Failure to adapt.
3. Blaming rather than taking responsibility. The first step of progress is, “I screwed up.”

Failure that comes from pushing too far is a gift. It shows you who you are and clarifies what matters.

Get up:

After pushing too far:

1. Invite others in. Don’t close down.
2. Reach out. Don’t pull back.
3. Determine what’s important.

The dream in your heart is worth the risk.

How can leaders risk going too far?

What have you learned from going too far?