What Risks Do You Take?
April 2, 2009 
66 Comments
Today I want to find out: what is the riskiest thing you’ve done this week?
Forget about it – this week is too easy. What is the riskiest thing you’ve done TODAY?
Everyday you should be taking a risk. I don’t care if it’s a risk at work or if it’s a personal risk; you’re not going to advance if you don’t take risks.
Life is about taking chances and taking risks. The most successful people in the world are risk-takers. They don’t play it safe.
So today, at work, what risk did you take to further your career? In your personal life, what risk did you take today to further your development in meeting people of the opposite sex? For those of you in a relationship, what risk did you take with your partner today to make that relationship even better?
We all dream about winning the Superbowl or climbing Mt. Everest. But in reality, you’ll only be able to achieve your dreams by taking small risks every single day.
Share with me your risks. For some of you, making a comment on this blog might be the risk you take today!
Wow…was this written for me today?? I am soooo nervous (which is usually not the case) I am about to take a slight risk today.
For the first time in 5 months I am going on a sort of “blind lunch date”. I am not a great dating person, as I believe dating takes a special breed….I just like to be who I am, and if the guy likes me great, if not…..they are not the person I want anyway.
I have been talking to this guy for a couple weeks (just on the phone)…have not met yet in person. He seems so nice & down to earth….so it feels like I am taking a risk….asking myself all the “what if” questions……
David, I believe that you are right….a lot of people stay in a comfort zone and do not take risks….but life is too short to NOT take risks…..I would never want to say in the end Woulda coulda shoulda!! Wish me luck!
“Your life is ending one minute at a time. ” Tyler Durden from Fight Club
“The greatest risk is not taking one.” Leonardo da Vinci
Carpe Diem
I took my boss on with a problem and we – nicely, though we were frustrated – made a plan for moving forward. The fact that we had a positive result without getting into a fight made it a success.
OMG!
Tony888, it’s interesting you mention Tyler Durden, cause I just finished reading the book! There’s a book? Yes sir, before Brad Pitt and Edward Norton there was THE book. It is still as awesome as the movie and Tyler is still fking cool!
Great Post David, really connected with it.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that 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
David,
This is perfect timing for me as well. I was thinking only a few hours ago about how I needed to take more risks when meeting women. When I look back at my previous successes, all have come about from being bold and doing what feels like putting your neck on the line. Also it makes talking to people a whole lot more exciting and gives you a strong urge to talk to more and more people. This is what often changes a conversation from being friendly to being flirty.
One time I asked a girl behind the counter in a bakery to recommend me something. She recommended a mexican chilli pastry slice. As I was paying I said (with a smile) “if I don’t like it I’ll come back and throw what’s left in your face”. Her and her male colleagues were laughing as I left the shop.
Another example I was talking to a girl at about 8.30 in the morning on the train. We got talking about job interviews after a while. I mentioned how I had read that the best looking candidate often will get the job. Then I asked her “is that how you got your job?”. As she began to laugh/blush I said “That’s how I got my job”. This really changed things for the better.
Unfortunately I have recently stopped taking these risks, although now it is on the front of my mind it’s risk-taking time for me again!
I might even buy some shares in General Motors… actually no that would be too risky wouldn’t it David?
I agreed to go with my dad to Egypt for two weeks in May for his birthday today.
Great topic, I’ve always been a risk taker since I understand that it takes risk to get reward.
The latest risk I took was today. I’ve been getting to know a woman recently that I could tell was apprehensive. In the past I would have thought I did something wrong or she wasn’t interested in me, and I would have probably shied away. I probed a bit and found that she had been hurt in a relationship and was very guarded. So I took a risk and shared some of my experiences being hurt and it started to draw her out of her shell a bit. We’ll see how it goes. If nothing comes of it at least I can look in the mirror and know I went for it in an honest, genuine fashion.
Risks….
I was telling deeply personal stories to my class today to illustrate a professional point.
My risk today was staying enrolled in a class taught by a foreign guy who can barely speak any english. I did it because I need to pass the class to graduate.
The risk I took today we had bad storms to move through Nashville and I was on my lunch hour and I went to sit down and finish up and it was raining while I was walking to my car a lightning bolt struck near the cars and I felt a little electricity coming from the bolt so I continued to my car as I felt the wind rock it back and forth…Scary….
One more I am taking a risk right now we are under Tornado Watches and I am sleeping in a trailer..
Tony – The Da Vinci quote is right on.
The biggest risk anyone can take is no risk at all. By not taking risks some think that they have some guarantee of safety, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Not taking risks only guarantees unhappiness and mediocrity (at best). Taking risks is at the very essence of life, and what makes it such a great adventure.
Roxyd,
How’d your date go?
Actually I’m writing an article David about Being yourself David. When I’m done I’m gonna email it to yah! : D
I drove in a rainstorm with broken windshield wipers. Actually the wipers havnt worked for months, but thats not stoping me. Throw on some rainX and your good to go!
This didnt happen today, but about a month ago.
While working a shift at my job, I found out I was going to be written up for talking on the guard stand-I was a lifeguard at the time- and my fellow guards let me know–So I planned to just quit on the spot, because I was tired of my managers pick and choose disciplinary actions.
When I found this out, I decided to go out in DRAMATIC fashion.
So, They called me in to the office because they “wanted to speak to me”. I knew what was up.
They pulled out the write up sheet and started reading it to me “failure to watch the pool, neglecting patrons blah blah blah” (BTW, everybody talks on the guardstand)
I stopped her mid sentence and said “Gimme the sheet” she handed it over, looking at me. I tore the write up sheet in probobly 16 pieces, through it in there face, up in the air and said “Fuck you, I quit” and walked out. I felt like a million bucks.
Currently employed elsewhere, and plan on going to bartending school next week!
I documented and sent some really ugly data in a management presentation to my boss at the beginning of the week for him to work with the manager of another group. When I asked if anything had come of it, he told me that he had not worked it yet, but forwarded it immediately – and found out just as quickly that the person responsible in the other manager’s group had told the manager that it was resolved when it was not. That manager is about to string that person up. Normally, I would not send such a pointed presentation but it’s a new day where I work so I’m trying to step up and proceed without hesitation, calling it the failure that it is and stating the specific inaction that allowed it to happen and let my group take the blame, even when the solution is ridiculously simple – like talking to the customer. It’s what our new leadership has asked of us – to tell the truth, no matter what, with no spin.
This issue of service itself is so hot right now with our new division chief (who used to be a customer) that it will touch the sorest of his hot spots. I’m just sorry that tomorrow is my day off because it will be the talk of the division. The chief was just meeting in an employees-only forum today in our building with no managers so that folks could speak their minds without fear – and that’s what happened. He got an earful and was angry that his management team has been paying lip service to his directives – like no more managing by intimidation. I’m betting that the Friday morning management team meeting will be a royal butt-chewing, and if they are not careful, they may be out on the street.
Hmm, a Brazilian wax (-:
Justin–why did you stop taking risks? Not sure GM shares is the place to start though
No risk, no fun, hm? The day is still young in Germany, so my only chance to take a risk was in going to the supermarket and buy some washing powder and fabric softener. And surprise….. I found a great conversation opener today!
Wanted to buy my usual no-frills fabric softener when I suddenly saw this arty black bottle: “Lenor – Shangrila”…. it displayed a lake and a small pagoda and on the back of the bottle was a small story about the ancient realm of Shangrila, somewhere in the Tibetan mountains… blabla…
This bottle looked so attractive and mouth-watering… you wouldn’t believe it is fabric softener! So I walked over to the woman at the checkout and asked her: “Hey, isn’t this really looking delicious? Do you think I should drink it pure or on the rocks? Or perhaps it can be used in a milk shake?” And then we spend 2-3 minutes joking about different ways to drink fabric softener and how nice it would be to see bubbles come out of my mouth and so on…
I then continued my way to the bakery shop and created so much attention with my “fabric softener on the rocks” story, that inbetween I had to ask one of the ladies behind the counter to attend to a guy who had already said “Good Morning!” three times in order to get her attention but went unnoticed.
So, thanks to the advertising industry, I had a lot of fun this morning. And since they are so busy creating things that catch people’s attention, I think I will continue to have fun using their products to do exactly that.
A great day to all of you!
BTW… I hope it goes without saying that you should NOT (NEVER!) drink fabric softener…
Hey! I took a risk today. I kissed that girl I was not sure if she was into me. And she was! imagine if I hadn’t done anything… terrible!
Hope you guys take some risks and be happy!
Carpe Diem (as a friend above has said)
Ok here’s my risk that I took today. I just bought David’s men’s mastery series for 215 CDN. Now that’s a lot of money for me, being a poor college student and a risk to me because I don’t know what the financial repercussions will be like. However, I’ve been reading David’s blog for a few months now and even longer reading other PUA material from other people. I want to be able to take control of my life when it comes to relationships or even starting new ones with different people.
The thing that really stood out about what David talks about is how down to earth he is and how the stuff he talks about is so simple, but amazing. Anyone that’s enough of a plug for David!
I just hope your products are even better than your blogs David!
I tried conversing with the woman in front of me, in line at the coffee shop, and she responded, to my surprise!…
Mac,
Thanx for asking……….
I am glad that I went on the date (and took the risk)……although he is a very nice, genuine person…I didnt really feel any kind of romantic connection! Possible friendship….??? Which is always nice too!
Benjamin- the men’s mastery series is a great product, make sure you practice the exercises that are mentioned in the product. Listening and reading is one thing but doing it will make all the puzzle fall in place.
Tony and Fernando- i love that book and movie “fightclub” although i think the book is better!
I finally took a risk and signed up for Relationship Coaching classes to get my certification. I’m pretty excited about it!!
Today, I called a man that I met at the Atlanta airport a month ago. He was surprised by the call and we had a GREAT conversation that ended with him asking me to lunch next week!
Also, tonight I am meeting for the first time a man I met on-line…
I just finished the Women’s Mastery Program this week – and am remembering confidence I’ve not had in quite some time. Thank you, David.
Roxyd, very few men want to be a friend to a woman,,,if we are male friends, we want to get in,, we just don’t know how….
Hunter, it is not hard to be friends with women. For some guys its more important than jumping in bed with someone.
Roxy, you have to let him know right away that you might have had romantic intentions at first, but you have since changed your mind. You’ll probably lose the friend (like Hunter says) in this situation but it is far worse to keep hanging out with him if you don’t tell him.
a.movie, yes, if a man is in his prime, he needs some bed time, if he is past 40 years old, he is lonely, and just wants to talk.
Hunter
As anything in life you can’t put everyone in the same box. Plenty of men has evolved past the point that they want girls as friends not because they are lonely or want to get it on with her.
Hunter,
I hear ya! BUT over the years, I have several very close friends that happen to be men?
Some people are meant to be in your life as a romantic relationship and some are not. I find it hard to believe that all of my male friends just “want in”??? And Marina is right it doesnt involve being lonely or just wanting to get it on……
Are you telling me you have NO woman friends that you havent slept with? OR want to sleep with???
a.movie,
I agree with you. I will let him know that the romance thing is just not in the cards….see how that goes!
Hunter
I have had many women friends over the years….including when i was a horn dog in my teens and twenties and have had no problem not jumping into the sack with them.
Laura
You took a risk and see how it paid off…now think if you do that once a week?
Your whole life will change!
Queen Lindsay
The best coaches are ones that speak from personal experience and from the heart!!
Keep that in mind when you take that class:)
Benjamin
Thanks for taking the plunge and trusting me!!
You will love my mens mastery series and i am looking forward to hearing all about your success with it!
Hamburger
See it is the simple things in life that can get the day rolling along.
Godo job!!
Justin
Not really sure GM is a good buy!!!
Roxy D
Here is to no more shoulda woulda couldas!
Laura/David,
How do I sign up for the Woman’s Mastery Progam…..????
But of course we want girls for friends, some of us, we vow to ourselves, that we won’t pay anymore child support or alimony. Or we got smothered by parents/circumstances/got dealt the wrong deck of cards, and we operate off of our feminine side.
Roxy
Here is the link to my audio program.
http://www.davidwygant.com/womens-mastery-audio-series.html
David,
Thank you! I will check this out. This dating thing is all new to me….but hey I hear its like riding a horse…ya have to just get back on…& try again??
Hope everyone has a great “dating” weekend! LOL
DW, I looked for you the other day, at Whole Foods, Westwood.
If I said, “No, I don’t ever want to sleep with any of my female friends,” I would be lieing to you and to myself.
Take out “any: and replace it with “some” and you will sound more realisitc. I have a few female friends that I turn down who want to sleep with me but that is because they want to use me to cheat on someone else. That turns me off big time.
I guess I’ve been stuck at 40 before I even got there.
David? No new blog today?
Hunter
Here is where i will be tonight come by
Sorry for the late notice but if you live in L.A. come
meet me at Studio U.
Studio U is my girlfriends studio and she is having an event
tonight.
I will be there to hang with everyone and there might be
some hot women as well. Come and join me and say hi.
You are cordially invited to the Stowellen Trunk Show in
Venice at STUDIO U!
Stowellen is a new line of hand carved abalone and ebony
jewelry mixed with real feathers by Benjamin Kendall. Join
us for refreshments and a peek at the collection.
Visit http://www.stowellen.com for a preview of his work.
When: April 3rd, 6:30PM – 9PM
Where: Studio U, 1027 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA
(directly above primitivo wine bistro)
http://www.studio-u.com
You can RSVP to info@stowellen.com. Cash and check
are appreciated.
Hope to see you soon!
David
P.S. Feel free to pass this along to all your friends!
David
Sorry can’t make I am still in Tennessee…I hope all goes well for you and your gf have a blast and let us know what goes on…Oh makes sure Daphne is taken care of….Luv Ya Both!
Oh I have taken a few risks this week but I will leave that private…
Sandra, come on and tell us……chances are we will never see you anyway…
Thanks, David, for such a direct call-to-arms… in the relationship arena, of course!
I have been texting this girl who I have some key things in common with (namely, life aspirations and sense of humor). I asked her if she had plans for tonight. She said she was busy. I texted back, “OK, I just asked to know when I could see you”. Her response was golden: “Well, I am real busy today, but we can meet tomorrow night if you set something up”. -PLUS a smiley face!
I think this was a risk for me because now I know for sure she is interested in building a relationship with me. This will help boost my confidence around her, as she expects me to take the initiative. I feel like I am attracting me.
a.movie, ah, yes, the cheaters, they are in abundance.
Diego R+R – Good for you! I think that you just got a green light of encouragement!
My secret wont tell anyone….
Sandra, you are not going to share with us?….aaaahh, your posts used to be fun..
My biggest “risk” was me jumping off of a cliff into lake Havasu. That was a crazy that actually injured my ear drum.
That was actually scarier than sky diving.
But as far as smaller risks… I take risks everyday by just putting myself out there, showing people what I’m all about, talking to strangers I didn’t know.
Kudos the the post David!
Hello everybody!
I haven’t taken a risk for a while now but I haven’t forgot how incredibly alive I felt whenever I did… ah! well, luckily every day is a new chance!
I actually was wondering if you guys could give me your opinion on something related to this topic. How much would you risk… There is this one man that I would really like to know and I don’t know how to.. There is this house next door that was being sold and he worked there as an interior designer. I find him very attractive and I love his body language and I have caught him looking at me several times. One can feel it when it is reciprocal, right? Well, the situation is very difficult. Now he is done with his work on the house but every once in a while he comes back. I wonder what I should do. I have thought about leaving a note in his car windshield saying “call me” but maybe it seems desperate… I have been told that you have to let the guy do the first step but make it easy for him to have the chance. I am trying to find a creative way to get to know him, the most natural if this is possible! Any ideas?
Today I grilled some lean meat and continued to work on eating more vegetables. I have the work out down, but a better diet and valuable sleep is just as important for muscle growth. So I’m slowly working on that one day at a time. Working out and dieting as a hobby also gives me a sharp feeling to start the day, which is an energy that keeps me going and usually the Ice breaker to get me going.
Montse:
You can go there and say Hi:-) maybe add “how come you are not visiting our neighborhood anymore?”…Take a risk!!!!!!
Today I was at the Gym with a friend of mine and we both noticed a cute chick with a nice body.
I new I had to strike up some sort of conversation, but nothing popped in my head. I then just took out my Locker key that was pinned to my shorts and I approached her, told her I found these keys and was wondering if it was hers. haha seems corny, maybe it was but I got to initiate and opened her up to talk about working out, what she does for a living, and made her laugh a couple of times. What sux is I really wanted to talk to this other girl but I just didn’t. Excuses Excuses but I need to put my self in a situation to talk to her next time.
ThNX
Omar
Omar, it takes lots of practice, so what, maybe, you didn’t do well the first time. There will be other opportunities. Try again…..when you are good and ready..
My posture didn’t normally suggest openness on the train. My legs and my hands are usually crossed. Few days ago I got an interview and I read about the importance of body language. I decided to practice, during my train ride, letting my legs and hands fall naturally on each side of my body, and never looking down. I believe if I could be comfortable doing that in the presence of people in the compartment I would be at ease in my interview. I not only had fun exercising my secret assignment, but also felt that I was in total control of my day and myself. What’s exhilarating was that I looked into others’ eyes as I wished, including good-looking guys with whom I normally avoid eye contact. One last thing, as I was usually too nice to say no, I rejected a guy who cancelled on our first date at last minute, asked to reschedule, and reacted suspiciously. I mean, why the heck do I deserve to be treated like I have to date him? No, good-bye.
I agree that adventurousness doesn’t mean you have to climb up Mt. Everest or bungee jump, if you can try something, anything, out of your comfort zone then it’s a success.