Entrepreneur: Relevancy Over Time
by Miki Saxon
Several years ago I read an article by Bill Buxton about risk; I think it’s worth reposting, because the article is as valuable today as it was then.
The Value of Risk
In an excellent post on risk, professor, researcher and author Bill Buxton says, “Entrepreneurs, like ice climbers, are often said to risk their necks. But there are ways to cut danger to sane levels—and some very good reasons to try.”
People often comment that both groups are, politely speaking, nuts.
After offering up a detailed explanation of ice climbing he comments, “…the four considerations employed by the ice climber are exactly the same as those used by the serial entrepreneur or the effective business person…”
They are training, tools, fitness and partners.
Buxton ends by saying,
“The most dangerous way of all to play it is so-called safe. Safe leads to atrophy and certain death—of spirit, culture, and enterprise. There is not a single institution of merit or worthy of respect in our society that was not created out of risk. Risk is not only not to be avoided, it is to be embraced—for survival.”
A quick and valuable read—whether you consider yourself a risk taker or not.
Training, tools, fitness and partners—those are the same considerations that make all parts of life not only successful, but worth living.
In a world moving ever faster, where 2008 is considered ancient history, it is worth recognizing that there is much wisdom to be found there.
Flickr image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingartist/3000044567
