Taking chances is something that’s a struggle for nearly everyone. In fact, I don’t know a single person who hasn’t questioned being risky. If they didn’t, I would be worried because there is wisdom that comes with discretion.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH5VYaTgIZI[/youtube]
Click here if you can’t see the video.
This past weekend, I had two races at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Ga. There were a bunch of cars that were faster than mine and even more drivers who have years and years of experience. Me? I have technically one year under my belt. This was my fifth race weekend over the past two years. On top of that, I have yet to race the same track twice. They’ve all been new to me.
Roebling was, by far, the fastest track I’ve been on. There is barely any braking that happens. And if you’re not braking in racing, you’re always on the gas! With all of the sweeping turns, it makes it incredibly difficult to overtake someone. Most of the passes happen in turn one at the end of the straight, when you’re doing about 134 miles an hour.
But if you’re a little crazy—OK, a lot crazy—you can try and make an outrageous move in one of the sweeping turns. You just pray that you don’t collect the car you’re attempting to pass, and you both end up a mangled mess.
Sunday, out of frustration, I decided to make such a move. I tried for a couple of laps to pass the driver in front of me, but he was just too fast. And then, I realized something. Turn three was a long left hander that you run the car flat. (not letting off the gas), and he wasn’t.
And as you see at the beginning of this clip, (I know. I know. My camera tilted on me.) I figured out that I could slingshot out of turn three faster than he did, and I could probably out break him in the corner. If I stayed on his gearbox, I could try it.
Conventional wisdom says, “He’s raced for years and you haven’t. He has a faster car than you do. Don’t even try this.” But something inside of me said, I can do it.
As you can see, it worked. And not only did it work, but I was able to hold him off the rest of the race. Three turns later, I finally noticed that my heart was in my throat and I better start breathing again! I can honestly say that the pass, and holding him off until the end, made a HUGE difference in how I felt at the end of the race. Otherwise, I would have been sitting behind him when we crossed the finish line wondering if I could have made that move.
I think there are many times in life that we struggle on whether to take a chance. But the decision can be kind of simple, since there are basically three outcomes. You don’t take the chance and regret it for some measure of time. You do take the chance, which either makes you feel like a genius or an idiot. No matter what you choose, there are potential victories and consequences with each. You just have to ask yourself, When does the potential victory outweigh the potential consequence?
Question: What are examples of chances that you took that you never thought you would, and it worked out for the better? Conversely, what about the times it did not?
That’s awesome. I love open-wheel racing, and have always wanted to give it a try. When I get to baby step 7, I just might have to….
Great tie-in to taking chances in life as well. The payoff may not always be so immediate, but I think the feeling of pushing the pedal to the floor and just going for it gives the same rush.
@Bret Absolutely Bret! Makes me think of that saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” if we don’t push the pedal down we won’t have any huge risk, but we won’t have any huge accomplishments!!
@Bret It’s so funny that when I look at that pass compared to my life, I see the same victories when I’ve stuck my neck out.
@ChrisLoCurto Me too. So why is it so frightening every single time the opportunity comes to stick my neck out again? I KNOW that’s where the magic happens, so why am I always afraid? *Sigh*.
@Bret Because of the times you tried to pass and crashed. I think the times that have made me gun shy, are the times I was doing it for someone else and failed. The times I do it for me, I grow stronger at being able to do it again. Does that make any sense?
@ChrisLoCurto Lots of sense, though I’d twist things slightly and say that when I’m doing it selfishly, or because someone else is pushing me, that’s when I tend to crash. When I’m doing it from a place of “purer” motivation, be it more spiritual, or selfless, or from a place of love or from a desire to serve others, that’s when I tend to find success.
Just doing it for myself generally isn’t enough. Motivation counts too, I think. For me, at least.
@Bret @ChrisLoCurto Bret, I really like your insight. Thanks for reminding me to take a look at my motivation and avoid wrecks when acting selfishly!
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret There’s another valuable lesson in this analogy. Chris, you had to spend a few laps behind that guy, so you had the opportunity to study how he braked, accelerated, and how he went into the turn each time.
Then after seeing the same action a few times, you had to have the courage to make the pass. That takes guts, like you said, because if your calculations are off, so are your wheels!
The other lesson is for the other driver: Keep making the same mistakes over and over, and eventually it will cost you!
@skottydog @Bret @lilykreitinger Preach it!!
@Bret @ChrisLoCurto I like John Maxwell’s take on it, get out of your comfort zone, but into your areas of strength and you will be successful. I’m not about to start racing…although I did fly an airplane once… 😉
@Bret @ChrisLoCurto And it IS big scary out there!
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret @lilykreitinger
Lord grand me the serenity to be up front, the courage to make to the front, and the wisdom to avoid a helicopter ride!
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret @lilykreitinger “Lord, grant me the serenity to be up front, the courage to MAKE IT up front, and the wisdom to avoid a helicopter ride!”
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret You might also be afraid of failing, and maybe, just maybe, you focus on that a tiny bit more than you need to. Next time, think about what could happen if you take that one baby step, and succeed, and also consider that every experience is an opportunity to learn. Hopefully that will help you stick your neck out for longer than 3 minutes. Worth it.
@ginasmom @ChrisLoCurto @Bret Just make sure you don’t stick your neck out while driving 🙂
@skottydog @ChrisLoCurto @Bret @lilykreitinger I was a volunteer paramedic for a few years, and always wished I could go along on a chopper ride (sitting up, not lying down!) I sent more than a few people on them that probably wished they hadn’t had to go but were thankful for the trip afterwards….
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret @lilykreitinger That makes so much sense! I tend to be hesitant to take chances because I’ve been burned, but you’ve made me realize why. When I go for it for me, I have more success. Definitely something to take into the decision making process. And I have to say it’s not just a guy thing – driving an open wheel car is on my bucket list! Great post Chris!
@Bret @ChrisLoCurto @lilykreitinger I’ve heard many in the racing profession say “Good news never travels by helicopter”.
HA! I Knew we’d get a racing post before week’s end!!! That’s such a great lesson to be learned! This is something I really struggle with. I will often make big plans, line it all out and then not follow through. I know I’ve heard that just the act of telling someone your plans can give you the same sense of accomplishment as actually doing it. That’s a very dangerous feeling, b/c it stops you from actually DOING what you planned. But I’ve learned that this sense of accomplishment is fleeting and leaves you wondering what could’ve happened. Looking back on 10 years of taking the easy path and not taking chances is a sobering thing. I’m just grateful I’ve recognized it and have begun associating myself with are doers and will encourage me to do the same! Thanks for the great post Chris!!
@Skropp That’s a great point. When you start associating with doers, you start to do things yourself.
@JoshuaWRivers Definitely. They ask you WHY you aren’t “doing” and if they’re great friends, they kick your butt into gear!!
Totally agree with that! Surround yourself with people you want to be like and learn from.
Like CLoBlog resident marketing specialist @joelfortner
@ChrisLoCurto @joelfortner dang Chris, you beat me I it!! That’s what I wanted to say! Haha. So I’ll say this instead: like @chrislocurto resident thought leader and purveyor of daily awesomeness
You’re too kind dude. Proud to be here!
@Skropp And look at you now. Taking chances soon, right?
@ChrisLoCurto Heck ya! Soon as I get home from work tomorrow nightim firing up the ol’ Camaro, hitting the highway and cranking ‘er up to 134!!! You’ve inspired me!! Hahaha
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto HAHAHA…oh crud!! Not my intention!! Only on a racetrack. 😉
@ChrisLoCurto The highway is a racetrack isn’t it??? I mean, there’s pace cars. I see cars lines up 2 wide for like a quarter mile following the car with the lights and siren, then when he pulls off at an exit they all start the race! Seems like a racetrack to me 😉
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto Support your local EMS squad! 😉
@Bret @ChrisLoCurto I haven’t wrecked yet, so I never will right??? Haha. No, the 130+ in my Camaro can be chalked up to “young, dumb, and a whole lotta fun!” haha
@Skropp @Bret @ChrisLoCurto It’s defnitely a guy thing.
@lilykreitinger @Bret @ChrisLoCurto (insert little kid laugh here…) yup, it is 🙂 haha
@lilykreitinger I’m pretty sure @ChrisLoCurto was beat by a young female driver early in his racing career… he told a story about it once. 🙂
@Bret @Skropp BAH!!!!!
@Bret @Skropp “Support your local EMS squad! ;-)” BAH!!!!
@Jon Henry @lilykreitinger That I was my friend. That I was.
@ChrisLoCurto @Bret That could be the motto on the “Team LoCurto Racing” t-shirts… Either that or “creating jobs…one EMS call at a time!”
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto @Bret “Left untreaded, all bleeding eventually stops….”
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto Hey, farm boy, I know “where you’re going you don’t need roads”, but highways have white and yellow lines… race tracks don’t. Just sayin’
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto Disclaimer: I kid with Skropp with uttermost respect. I don’t pick blog commenters at random to make sarcastic remarks. 🙂
@lilykreitinger @Skropp Mmmhmmm..sure, sure. 😉
@lilykreitinger @ChrisLoCurto OOOOOHHHH, NOW I get it! I always wondered what those lines were for! Growing up on dirt roads you just kind drive wherever… 😉 thanks city girl!
@ChrisLoCurto @lilykreitinger Ya Chris, I’m wondering about that disclaimer too… She just all of a sudden started teasing me awhile back. It took a week of crying, 2 sleepless nights, 3 Tony Robbins cassettes and $453.45 of counseling to get over it! But I’m good now! Haha
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto @lilykreitinger
Despite the cost, i like that you got over it:):)
Thanks, Chris. Definitely an area I need to work on- taking chances. I don’t think think any of my choices are to the extreme of moving at 134 mph!!! Chris is making the risks I take pretty wimpy. Ha.
@JoshPalcic Haha. I hear ya there Josh!! I’ve gone 145+ one time… It was a blast, but then I started thinking what if a tire blows? Something else breaks? something runs in front of me? I hit a rut? Or a good sized rock? It would be baaaadd. So I slowed down and after that I limited myself to like 110-115 tops 🙂
@JoshPalcic Funny thing is, it’s just the area that I’m comfortable taking that risk in. Others sing. You wouldn’t want me taking that chance. 🙂
Living life as it is taking a big chance that things may go one way or another. Even the simple act of waking up and getting out of bed. I like to extend this to all areas of my life, and it does make life a great adventure. I’m a big proponent of “You’ll never know what it could have been unless you try it”. I have taken small chances and big ones too, and so far despite some negative consequences, I think i’m ahead. A couple examples, moving to this country on my own, striking up a conversation with a strange nice young man:) in a strange country and ignoring my mom’s advice on this (My husband now:)), my new job. The ones that didn’t work out – I thought about them once and moved on. It’s the only way to succeed in life. great post!
@ginasmom I like that, “thought about them once, and moved on” Great way to look at obstacles!
@ginasmom I think your right. Sometimes we frame it as if we DON’T take risks. We all do, some on a larger scale than others, but we all do! And we’ve all lived through taking risks, so what’s the hesitation? Thanks for your comment!
@ginasmom Powerful!!!
Great thoughts – often, we sit back and just follow, when we have an opportunity to lead, and don’t. Taking a risk can be a fearful time, but you always grow from those risks, even if they end up being failures…
Craig “Never Fail – What I mean by that, is #failalot!”
@Craig Stumpf I used to be really passive. I was always shy and tried to keep to myself. Never tried to put myself out there. I was not necessarily afraid of failure, I was more afraid of people realizing I was alive!
@JoshuaWRivers Failure is not fun, but you can definitely grow more from failing…glad you’re alive and sharing comments – keep putting yourself out there, eve nix you fail…
@Craig Stumpf I just read a quote on twitter this morning by Doug Weed. “Goliath was the best thing that ever happened to David.” if that doesn’t illustrate what you said in your comment I don’t know what does!! Great comment!
@Skropp @Craig Wow, that’s one I need to frame and put above my desk!
@Bret @Craig I really liked it…
@Skropp @Craig Seriously awesome quote – it’s also a reminder that God’s plan and ways are substantially better than ours…a nine foot giant being beaten by a teen…wow!
@Craig Stumpf @Skropp @Bret @JoshuaWRivers And if you think about it, Goliath had to cross God’s desk first before he was “sent” to David. Amazing how God allows us the big honkin’ obstacles to grow us into better and riskier people.
@ChrisLoCurto @Craig Stumpf @Bret @JoshuaWRivers Random thought…do you really think God has a desk? He’s always struck me admire of the charismatic, out walking around type leader rather than an adminstrator type…(these are the thoughts that kept me out of the really good schools…haha)
@ChrisLoCurto @Craig Stumpf @Skropp @Bret Also to remember that God never brings anything that we can’t handle – with His help that is.
@JoshuaWRivers @Craig Stumpf @Skropp @Bret Amen!
@Skropp I see a blog post with this theme in your near future…
@lilykreitinger MY future? What’d I do to make you think I could turn THAT into a blog post?? 😉 maybe I will. Hadnt thought about it… Hmmmm
@Skropp I like it! Sometimes we just need an experience to propel us forward. Of course we don’t want to go on to be like David later on….
@JoelFortner @Skropp Oh, no, we want to be good, innocent David, that’s for sure!
I’m fairly new to the tribe, so when I heard racing, I was thinking a foot race! Chris just jumped a few levels of coolness!
In 2009, I took the risk of moving from Illinois to Michigan to take a position as a Youth Pastor. It seemed like it would be a great opportunity. But during this move, we were never able to sell our house. We got some renters and have different renters now. Things didn’t work out in the church there. I thought the pastor and I were on the same page as far as doctrine, but things changed in less than six months, so we ended up leaving there. We ended up moving back to Oklahoma, where my wife’s family lives. The move to Oklahoma was good – jobs lined up quickly and we were able to get back on our feet.
@JoshuaWRivers HAHAHA…I’ll take it!
You took a big chance and it paid off. Not in the way you were thinking, but in life experience. (Does that help any? :-))
@ChrisLoCurto Definitely! I always try to look at the bright side. If there’s not a bright side, I sometimes make something up to make it seem bright 🙂 Like Einstein said when he “failed” 1,000 times – he only found 1,000 ways not to do it.
@JoshuaWRivers Dude. Don’t let the race car driving fool ya. He’s not that cool. =)
I can relate to @ginasmom comment. Moving to a foreign country has to be the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I thought I’d be living in my comfortable, familiar environment, find a guy, raise a family, go grocery shopping with my mom on Saturday mornings and spend every Christmas at my aunt’s… And here God throws this sweeping turn in the script of my life and asks me to marry a foreigner, pack up my bags and move to a country where I know no one but my husband and his family.
It reminds me of Matthew19:29 “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”
I never thought I’d be able to have the life I have now. It was a huge leap of faith. And God has showed me that even if I don’t feel qualified for it, He has blessed my decision to take a big risk and has given me a hundred fold in brothers and sisters, friends, homes and children.
@lilykreitinger @ginasmom Man, all of you and your huge, life changing risks make me feel like a total wimp!! Thanks for the great examples!
@Skropp @lilykreitinger @ginasmom You have much to learn, young grasshopper 😉
@lilykreitinger @Skropp @ginasmom BAH!!!!! Lily!!! You crack me up on a daily basis.
@ChrisLoCurto @Skropp @ginasmom Good to hear, we aim to please! That will be two gumballs.
@lilykreitinger @ChrisLoCurto @ginasmom I wonder if Paypal would accept gum balls as a form of payment? Haha
@Skropp It doesn’t. I tried.
@JoelFortner Not even the blue ones huh? That’s too bad, haha
@Skropp @lilykreitinger @ginasmom Makes me feel like a wimp, too!
@Skropp @lilykreitinger @ginasmom
A wimp, i doubt. I think the advantage we have is we were able to take that huge chance ages ago, it worked out, and now we have the benefit of that “Huge amount” of experience. You don’t have to move to a new country, but challenge yourself to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Tell us about it, and maybe we’ll bug you (I mean encourage you daily), until you do it. Growing up, our biggest push to take challenges as kids, in everything you can think off, was to use the phrase “You die once”. Still works for me, the difference is i quote it silently to myself:), once i’ve analyzed everything about a situation. In other words, what’s the worst that can happen?
The risk of starting a clinic of my own continues to be tempting. Not that the company I work for is bad, but I wonder about the upside to something on my own while staring in the face of the downside. I can’t seem to get the raft close enough to step to instead of a long jump.
@JoshPalcic There are a ton of people here to help!! They’ve been invaluable to me as I work to start my business!
@JoshPalcic For me Josh, it starts with understanding a P & L, what ALL the expenses of running the clinic would be, and how your advertising will work to get tons of people in. If you can get those three things down at the start, you’re way ahead of most entrepreneurs.
@bretwortman I love how you put that!
Chris, so glad you posted this. First of all, we all know the camera was NOT tilted…you were just taking turns on two wheels! Way to go! Pedal to the metal!
Moving to Florida from a comfortable X-ray tech job for 10 years was a big chance I took in 2006. Since moving, I became registered in MRI, became a CT supervisor, and was responsible for getting 2 facilities ACR accredited. None of which would have happened if I had stayed in my comfort zone at the same job.
Only drawback: I bought a home in Florida in 2006, too!
@skottydog Huge brother!! I wonder how many people are in the same situation you were in, but are too afraid to try.
Oh, and, sorry about the house. 🙂
@ChrisLoCurto Yeah. We refer to Sarasota as Atlantis, and our address is 8313, but we call it BS6!
That look so awesome! Not sure I’d have the guts to race open wheel though…I would probably try something where I had a little more shielding around me 😀 Great post though…love the idea here! Thanks
@igobyjared I’m not sure I’d have the guts to race open wheel either, even though I fantasize about it, but for years I’ve wanted to save my pennies (it’ll take quite the mountain) and get one of these to build with my son when he’s a few years older. (Disclaimer: I have no vested interest in these cars other than being a fan).
http://www.uscaterham.com/showroom/csr.html
@Bret @igobyjared Sweet looking cars…I’m more of a muscle car guy though. Got my own 68 camaro 😀
@igobyjared @Bret ohhhhh, I love a great Camaro!!!
@JaredLatigo @Bret @igobyjared I am soooo jealous. I’ve got a ’79 Camaro. It’s for sale currently. Once we’re debt free my wife says I can look for a ’69 to buy 🙂 (insert little kid laugh here…)
@ChrisLoCurto @igobyjared @Bret I know a guy that’s got one or sale Chris…might cut you a deal 😉 haha
@Skropp @ChrisLoCurto @igobyjared @Bret Interestingly enough…mine is for sell as well..for the right price of course. 😀 http://davesaidsellthecar.com/
@JaredLatigo @ChrisLoCurto @igobyjared @Bret Jared, if I were debt free you and I would be having a serious conversation right now!! As it is, I’m just going to cry because you’re teasing me with that which I can’t have!! Haha
@JaredLatigo @ChrisLoCurto @igobyjared @Bret If I was debt free you and I would be having a serious conversation right now!! Haha.
@JaredLatigo @Skropp @ChrisLoCurto Jared, a few years ago, when I returned from five years living in Australia, my welcome-home gift from the IRS was a tax audit for the time abroad. It turned out I owed, with penalties & interest, close to $5000. Should we take the payment plan the IRS offered?
We had just started FPU the month before, and so with my heart in my throat, I sold my mint-condition 2006 VW Passat that I had purchased for cash not 9 months before, paid the tax man, and bought a ’97 Infiniti I30 that I’m still driving today (with over 170000 miles on the clock). I don’t regret that decision for one second, though I often drool over various other rides from time to time. I’m a petrolhead, so it comes with the territory.
My kids nicknamed my Infiniti “Dave”, and until recently it sported a “Debt is Normal, Be Weird” sticker in one of the rear windows. They understand why daddy drives a beater when the some of the other kids’ dads drive nicer cars, and that lesson is worth every painful moment I spend driving it around.
Besides, with a 70-mile round trip commute, I’m going to depreciate the heck out of any car I get to replace it!
I’m a great risk taker in video games. In real life, I can honestly say I’ve never weighed risk and reward in big-picture personal adventures.
I enjoy the post, but I think there is something fundamentally wrong with taking a “cost-benefit analysis” approach to taking advantage of opportunities. This idea that we have to weigh the consequences with the outcome is obviously rooted in business philosophy, but it seems like a really bad practice to pull over into your personal life.
Reading through some of the stories so far, nobody seemed to have any idea what the potential victories would be, let alone the consequences of not pursuing them; the rewards were totally unexpected, but still totally worthwhile. The potential rewards pale in comparison to what was realized; the potential rewards were merely a reflection of something greater beyond the horizon.
When I say I don’t weigh risk and reward, I mean to say that I try not to place a value on expected rewards. I’m not sure where I heard it from, but someone once pointed out that the problem with goal setting is that they usually come true. If I set a goal of reading 10 books a month, I could probably do it. But who is to say that I couldn’t have read 20? Instead, I take a personal understanding of my capability and lean into it: I know I can read 10, but I won’t stop there. I think the same idea is evident in @ChrisLoCurto ‘s race story … Chris knew what he was capable of, and he floored it.
On the risk side, I never make life or death decisions. Meaning: I never let my thinking get to the point where all the world will die if I fail (no, we’re not being invaded by aliens and although I have strikingly good looks, I am NOT Will Smith). Again, I know better than anyone else what I am capable of, which also means I know what I should not be doing. I know my family depends on me, but I also do not exclude them from the decisions. When we go into this “cost-benefit analysis” we fall prey to saying things like: “success is between me and my family, which one will I sacrifice?” Who does that? That is not risk! That is stupid negligence, (and perhaps a broken relationship).
Ultimately, your ability (talents and personality) and you community (family and other supporters) are what push you through… but they get to experience the rewards right along with you.
Soapbox /off
@Jon Henry @ChrisLoCurto Jon, every time I “hear” you talk I think you should be a college lecturer somewhere! Haha. The depth at which you are able to understand and dissect subjects is amazing! There was certainly some burnt rice in that comment! Thanks man!
@Skropp @Jon @ChrisLoCurto He’s just trying to find out what the character limit is for comments
@lilykreitinger @Jon @ChrisLoCurto Should we tell him that Livefyre said there’s no limit? Or just let him keep blabbing? Haha
@Skropp @lilykreitinger @Jon @ChrisLoCurto You know that story in the Bible where Paul is preaching for the entire day and was so long winded that someone fell asleep and fell out a window and died. Yeah… it happened. And they woke him up too. So, quit complaining about long comments! 🙂
@Jon Henry @Skropp @Jon @ChrisLoCurto Your wisdom is always welcome and quite entertaining. I don’t see anyone falling off windows here : )
Many of the chances we take are really our random opportunities to live abundantly. Because mediocrity has become the norm, living without limitations looks like taking chances. Most of the great people in the Bible didn’t take chances; they simply lived in obedience to the One who called them. When we live mediocre lives, driving to the grocery store looks a lot like risky living! Where I live, it probably is!
Several risks I’ve taken come to mind, but I have to say the thought of starting a business was exciting and scary for me, but it’s working out very well! That’s thanks to my wife more than anyone else, and really, you, Chris for your sound counsel and advice. Words from you like “be more confident in your business” were really powerful and game changing. I needed to hear that when you said it.
@JoelFortner WHEW!!! That’s good to hear! 😀
@JoelFortner And now you’re inspiring us and leading the way for the fearful potential entrepreneurs Joel!
Thanks, Lily.
@JoelFortner Hearing that starting your business was exciting and scary gives me soo much comfort! That’s exactly what I’m feeling!!
The more entrepreneurs I talk to and read about, the more I realize it’s fearful for everyone of us. It’s just not something we talk about a lot.
@JoelFortner Have you ever had an abundance of creativity and talent and to afraid to use it for yourself?
Nice post, Chris. When you take a risk, you challenge the small “what if” fears that are always going to be there until they’re reduced, proven true, or extinguished. And no matter if a risk at any particular time pays off or not, the right-sized risk at the right time teaches and trains you – it gives you permission to keep taking calculated risks, improving your experience and confidence in regards to taking larger risks.
Ironically, most may view your racing ability as something only acquired over the last few years. But it wasn’t. Your racing ability began the day you took a risk by climbing on your first tricycle. And the confidence acquired from that “trial and error” experience took you to a bike, and skis, and cars, and on and on until one day you found yourself trailing someone on a racetrack in Savannah, Georgia. asking yourself the question, “Can I do it?” 🙂
So essentially, you had been preparing your whole life to make that pass. And successfully completing it confirms your lifelong training was sufficient for this particular risk.
Reading this post reminds me of something I share, “Place your trust and your fate in your training, not in your thoughts and emotions. Let your training decide if you win or lose, not your thoughts and emotions. Your training can break barriers, scale walls, and push limits and will take you places that your thoughts and emotions have spent years convincing you that you don’t belong. Essentially, your training gives you permission to win before ever crossing the starting line… ”
@Chadrick Black Soooooooo glad to have you back!!
@ChrisLoCurto
HA! Always around. 🙂 Just in the middle of a few projects and changes. Good changes though. Will actually be living back in Franklin (or the Franklin area in the next 6-8 months.)
@Chadrick Black Man this was superb to read! This reminds of the saying that luck is when skill meets opportunity.
@JoelFortner @Chadrick
Many thanks, Joel!
@Chadrick Black WOW please tell me you are a writer and what your most current book is. Money in hand and ready to buy.
@RWHicks @Chadrick
Thanks so much! I’ve been accused of being a writer on a few occations. 😉 However, you can keep your money in hand as my last release, The Greatest Harvest, can be downloaded for free from Amazon today until Sunday. Just copy and paste the link below and it should take you there. And feel free to reach out if you have any questions or comments. (Also, make sure to let all of your friends know that it’s free. But only until Sunday!)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-Harvest-ebook/dp/B008CRLDQI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340211800&sr=8-3&keywords=the+greatest+harvest
@Chadrick Black @RWHicks Thanks for the link – just downloaded and the first pages pages have grabbed me. Looking forward to a great read.
@CarolDublin
You’re very welcome, Carol! Feel free to share the link with your friends and family before the free promotion ends Sunday evening. 🙂
Two years ago this month, I was informed that there may not be a family business left to take over (due to PPACA). I had been preparing to assume leadership of our company for years. That door closed and God had something more wonderful waiting.
I took a chance by changing my career path and establishing two businesses since February of 2011. It has been an awesome experience. I love it.
On the other side, I had a record label and promotional company that failed in the early 2000s. Poor financial decisions on my part led to the failure. I simply did not know how to run a business. We were successful in achieving results in regard to events, but I was a poor money manager. However, I would not trade that failure for anything… it was way to valuable.
@LanceCashion Amen brother! You’ve used that experience considerably to be successful now!
Awesome story Chris. Loved how you pulled a great lesson out of car racing.
One chance that I took that didn’t work but worked was when I was let go from a previous job. I decided I would strike out on my own. Form my own computer business, and rake in the money.
Well, the business never picked up, the money never came in, and I felt defeated. Until one day a friend called and asked me to help out where he worked.
That fateful call led me into my current position. Can’t complain as it’s good work and what I had wanted to do. So it didn’t work but it did…
@Joseph Lalonde That’s fantastic. Think you’ll try your hand at it again one day?
@JoelFortner I’m pretty sure I will. It won’t be a computer repair business but something else. I’d like to attempt it again in the near future but not sure how feasible that will be.
First off Chris, love the video. Felt like I was there…so much so that I had to change my…well nevermind.
So this reminds me of something that both Dave and Dale Carnegie talk about. Dave talks in EntreLeadership about making decisions and considering the worst case scenario. Carnegie talks about the same thing in “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” when he tells a story about Willis Carrier (founder of Carrier AC).
Both of them talk about getting as much information as possible and considering the worst case. If you can live with the worst case, taking the risk is a lot easier.
Years ago I made a decision to go to work for a congressional campaign in NC. The campaign was just about broke, was way behind in the polls, and was completely disorganized. I had my owning booming consulting business and everyone said I was crazy to essentially drop that to go work for a lost cause.
When I considered the worst case…the worst case was that I would lose all of my clients, be making no money, and have to move in with my mother, who would gladly welcome me, love me, and help me financially if needed, I realized I could live with that.
Sure enough we lost the election (by a lot less than we should have but it was still not close), I lost all but one client, moved in with my mom and…within 4 months had built up another business to the point it was profitable.
Not exactly a resounding success story, but the risk was more than worth it. I don’t regret because I have no “what if”s, I learned a ton, and I developed some great contacts who have been of use over the years.
The worst case scenario was one I could live with. That made taking the risk easy.
Complete sidebar from the discussion at hand, but do you remember those Taco Bell commercials with Shaq eating a taco with a crooked head? I’m guessing Chris ate some food that required the “taco-neck” before he set up the camera on his car. Still, cool stuff!
@Jon Henry HAHAHA…I would be afraid to eat Taco Bell and then go drive 134 miles an hour. 🙂
@ChrisLoCurto What happens in the jumpsuit stays in the jumpsuit, right?
I feel like I am constantly dealing with that especially in my new profession: Financial Coaching. Teaching has been the only full-time job that I have ever held and it makes since because I have a degree in education. When I look to see where most financial coaches are in their work it makes me think that I’m not smart enough on this topic, or have a finance degree, or whatever! I am my own worst enemy. But I know that if God laid this on my heart then He’s at least one fan that I can rely on who will stand in my corner and never tell me that I can’ t do this! Great blog:)
@Whitney1 Girl, don’t give up! As Michael Hyatt says, most people quit right before their big break. If this is God, it will happen. Keep pushing hard. Constantly be pouring into yourself with as much info on your topics as possible. It’ll happen.
@Whitney1 As a coach myself, I echo what Chris said. Be confident in yourself, focus on the people who are serving or want to serve and don’t worry too much about the competition.
Great article. I too have taken a chance and bought a business. For years I have been able to make tons of money for my employers. Don’t get me wrong, I have no regrets. Well maybe that one job in 1999
I worked my way to senior management of a multimillion dollar company and am very proud of myself. The problem is that I thought I would feel as if i had completed my journey and that is far from the truth.
Thanks to GOD, Chris Locurto and the Dave Ramsey organization, I have made this latest step in my life. I have ignited a flame greater than I have ever felt climbing the corporate ladder.
GOD has given me the talent.
Chris and Dave have thought me how to use it for the right reasons.
I am thankful.
Hey Chris, That video was way cool, I loved it! My heart was in my throat just watching. For me, launching my business, was taking a chance. The first time I told someone, I’m a speaker and author, it was almost as if I was waiting for people to laugh or say, “You’ve go to be kidding me?” Never has either of those things happened. It is scary to put yourself out there, yet I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Now, I get to be a #1 best selling author, because, I was willing to what felt like a risk, put myself out there. Of course, it took a lot of effort, that was so worth it! Like you, at the end of the race, we don’t have to wonder if we could have gone for it, we did!
Im bored at home so i decided to watch a movie and seen a new movie Taking Chance on a free movie website and i look at the previews and people are say wow that was good and im still crying but i don’t get it at all what is it about?
I need some songs about taking a chance liking someone basicly. A song about how people say nothing will happen, it wont work, but, you want to take or take the chance anyway.
I need some good quotes about taking a chance on someone. I want someone to take a chance on me and just need a good quote. I like ones that aren’t too long, but I wanna hear whatever you got!
I have two down comforters. One says I can take it to a cleaners or wash it in cold water. The one I washed myself came out just fine and eventually became fluffy again. The other says “dry clean only.” I have not washed that one yet. Do I take the chance of washing it myself? I really don’t want to pay $25 just to get it cleaned. Thanks!
Does anyone know any songs about taking a chance on someone? Specifically, somebody taking a chance on me and trying to get to know me?