Photo Props
I root for disaster.
Disaster happens when things fall apart, get destroyed, and fail miserably – all things we are usually afraid to embrace. The truth is, however, if we are going to have magnificent successes, we have to be willing to risk disastrous failures. Choosing to avoid disaster forces us to live in the middle. The middle is safe and is cluttered with a bunch of safe noise that can’t grab anyone’s attention. The only thing worse than being hated or failing is being ignored. At least when we are hated there is passion behind how people feel. When people ignore us they’re indifferent. Indifference is dangerous because no one is forced to be passionate about what we’re creating. When we play it safe, we live in a place where we give people permission to ignore us…which is the last thing we should ever desire.
But, in choosing to take chances, break the status quo, and attempt to deliver something spectacular, we risk magnificent success or terrific disasters. We force people to either love us or hate us…but they have to choose. We create the reactions that separate us from the safe middle, the most dangerous place in the world.
So, as you create, try to find ways to avoid being safe. Take some chances. Do things that will force people to love or hate you but whatever you do, don’t live in the middle. If you do, we will never notice you.
What are some decisions you have made that risked disaster if they did not succeed?
Well, making the decision to short-sale our home, uproot our three teenagers and move back to Nashville in order to be closer to family and so that I could serve in a job that served others was a huge risk. We are still in the middle of it, so not sure if it is a disaster yet or not. 😉 The only think I would add is that we have to make sure we are making the decision in order to glorify God only and not ourselves or our own agenda. Sometimes that = the hard part……
Mmmm…such a good post man!
I’m working on a project right now with a few people that could be cools. Def need to keep this one in hopper so we don’t play it safe. Thanks again dude!
“The only thing worse than being hated or failing is being ignored.”
“When we play it safe, we live in a place where we give people permission to ignore us…which is the last thing we should ever desire.”
These two statements hit to close to home.
Fear of being a failure, and even fear of being successful have caused me to close myself off.