| Theodore Roosevelt acknowledged his penchant for | | | | a man who loves to take risks in his life. |
| risk taking when he coined the well-known statement, | | | | Marc Cuban exhibits that hue in life from which John |
| "Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious | | | | Akers speaks. Mark Cuban is a well-known |
| triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to | | | | flamboyant self-made billionaire. He rose to riches by |
| rank with those poor spirits that neither enjoy much nor | | | | cofounding Micro-solutions which he sold to |
| suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that | | | | Compuserve in 1990. Then he co-founded a sport |
| knows not victory nor defeat". From history, we have | | | | radio broadcasting on the internet, which he sold to |
| read that Teddy led the charge up the famous San | | | | Yahoo at the peak of the internet craze. He also loves |
| Juan Hill with his rough riders in the Spanish American | | | | his sports and currently is the owner of Dallas |
| War. President Roosevelt was also a trust | | | | Mavericks NBA team. |
| buster-going against the big time capitalism of his day. | | | | Cuban's philosophy for business is to risk to gain |
| Teddy loved a good fight that had lots of risk-this is | | | | something, and according to him, "if you do not have |
| what motivated his charge through life. | | | | the courage to get out of your comfort zone, you will |
| Another who gets a charge out of risk is the golfer | | | | never be successful". Cuban believes that risk and |
| Phil Michelson. Take this poignant but tragic story of his | | | | success go hand and hand. |
| high-risk golfing world: The scene was the 2006 U.S. | | | | Marc Cuban, John Akers, Phil Michelson and Theodore |
| Open. Phil had a one stroke lead standing on the tee | | | | Roosevelt have the commonality of being a risk-taker. |
| box on the 72th hole. All he needed was a par to | | | | Their life takes on a glow when risk is involved. |
| capture his first US open championship. Most players | | | | Without it, their life would be dull. Thus, we could |
| might play it safe and hit a utility wood or iron to hit the | | | | extrapolate that these individuals became successful |
| fairway-not Phil. He took out his driver, sliced it far left | | | | because they intuitively brought risk into their lives. Risk |
| (he is a lefty), almost hitting it out of bounds. From that | | | | helped them to achieve their greatness, regardless of |
| point, he tried to hit his next shot around the tree that | | | | venue. |
| lay directly in front of him and the green. Phil hit the | | | | Risk awareness |
| tree and his ball dropped straight down. Phil then | | | | Are you a risk-taker? Do you have a risk-taking |
| smashed an iron out of the rough which landed in the | | | | personality? Psychologists have labeled this a "T" |
| greenside bunker. He blasted out over the green, | | | | personality type. |
| flipped his next shot to two feet and sunk the putt for | | | | Here are a few questions to assess whether or not |
| a double bogey, and lost the championship by one | | | | you are a risk-taker: |
| stroke to Geoff Olgivy. | | | | 1) Do you like driving fast in the rain? |
| Phil fans, and he has millions of them, were all cringing | | | | 2) Do you enjoy a good roller coaster? |
| from the experience. Why couldn't he just play it safe | | | | 3) Do you like down hill skiing-when there is a chance |
| and go for a par? All he needed was a par. Why did | | | | of injury? |
| he make such a poor decision? | | | | 4) Do you enjoy living life on the edge? |
| The answer is simple. Phil Mickelson is an extreme risk | | | | 5) Are you decisions considered risky and edgy? |
| taker. This style of play is what energizes him. In fact, | | | | If you answered yes to 4 out of the 5 above |
| Phil is no different from a sky diver, race car driver, or | | | | questions, you probably have a risk-taking personality. |
| bungee jumper. High risk takers become bored very | | | | More importantly, are you using this personality style to |
| easily so they seek out activities that are exciting. | | | | your advantage? |
| They not only thrive on the rush- they need the rush. | | | | Or, have you lost the glow in your life? Perhaps by |
| This need may be due to their neurological make-up. | | | | adding some risk, you can change the hue of your |
| Psychologists have recently shown that high risk | | | | world. |
| personality styles have low serotonin in the brain. | | | | Get Risky with a plan |
| Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain | | | | While risk-taking may be essential to some to fill that |
| function. Having low serotonin is analogous to a car | | | | void or boost their adrenaline, don't believe it is always |
| idling in low gear. High risk behavior stimulates the | | | | done with out a purpose. It is rarely done haphazardly |
| serotonin production in the brain of high risk takers and | | | | by anyone, either in sport or business. Ask Red Adai |
| this literally shifts their brain into high gear. Thus, the | | | | who pioneered the extinguishing of oil well fires. |
| stimulation of high-risk situations is rewarding and these | | | | Through his work, he built a reputation as the best oil |
| individuals gravitate toward this type of behavior. For | | | | well fire fighter in the world. His company put out the |
| Phil, he gets a rush by playing for broke on most of his | | | | Gulf War oil fires in 1991 and received a special letter |
| shots. | | | | of recognition from President Bush for his work he |
| Phil Michelson exemplifies the old axiom: live by the | | | | completed in just nine months. |
| sword-die by the sword. His going for broke style has | | | | You figured a man who faced the heat of death |
| made him one of the best and well-loved golfers in his | | | | every day at work would have a plan. He does. Red |
| generation, yet it has also ruined a few tournament | | | | said that fighting a fire is like going into battle and |
| rounds-and the final round of the 2006 US Open is no | | | | mounting an invasion. You start with a battle plan, |
| exception. | | | | gather your men and equipment, and then attack. |
| Many believe taking risks and exhibiting this style is | | | | If you are like Teddy, Phil or Marc Cuban, be risky but |
| essential for success. Former IBM chairman John | | | | have a plan. Engaging in high risk behavior doesn't |
| Akers says, "The people who are playing it totally safe | | | | mean that you act impulsively. Just because you may |
| are never going to have either the fun or the reward | | | | not want a net when you leap does not mean you do |
| of the people who decide to take some risks. | | | | not have a plan when you land. |
| According to Akers, "There is an incredible excitement | | | | This article is excerpted from the Washington Post |
| to risk taking. There is an increase in energy-the | | | | Best-Selling book "Full Throttle: 122 Strategies to |
| adrenaline flows and the awareness is heightened. | | | | Supercharge your Energy and Performance at Work" |
| You have a greater sense of aliveness. Life assumes | | | | by Dr. |
| a richer hue". These statements are clearly spoken by | | | | |