The Sixth Sense

Living a life of perpetual risk

I have yet another great quote from ‘Story’ by Robert McKee for you today:

“Life teaches that the measure of the value of any human desire is in direct proportion to the risk involved in its pursuit. The higher the value, the higher the risk. We give the ultimate values to those things that demand the ultimate risks - our freedom, our lives, our souls. This imperative of risk, however, is far more than an aesthetic principle, it’s rooted in the deepest source of our art. For we not only create stories as metaphors for life, we create them as metaphors for meaningful life - and to live meaningfully is to be at perpetual risk.”

That last sentence really jumped out at me. ‘To live meaningfully is to be at perpetual risk’. When you stop to think about it though, that is the essence of adventure. And the truth is we all crave adventure. Somewhere deep within us, we want our lives to be part of something larger than ourselves, something with meaning. 

The reality however is that we typically end up settling for cheap imitations. Instead of living a life of adventure we cover up the desire with watching just enough movies or playing adventure games on the PlayStation. But the truth is, there’s nothing like being in an adventure yourself. Even if it doesn’t always feel great at the time!

If living a life of perpetual risk is what it takes to have a meaningful, adventurous life, are we prepared to go there? It’s so easy to end up choosing the easiest, safest, most comfortable option. I hope to use my life both to live on an adventure and inspire as many people as possible to do the same.

What do you think?

Tags: Life, Risk

Italy: Good or Bad for football?

I watched the Italy vs. France game tonight. Potentially both teams could have gone out the tournament if Romania had beaten Holland. But, as it happens, Romania lost and Italy won. 

What is it with Italy? They’re always there or thereabouts when it comes to major football tournaments. They are, of course, the current world cup holders too.

I have a big problem with them though. And this may be my perception, but I can’t get away from these thoughts. They just strike me as really dull. They are uninspiring. They play very safe football. And they sneak wins.

Take tonight for example. They won 2:0 which sounds pretty convincing. But the truth is that one of those goals was a penalty and the other was a lucky deflection. Oh, and they were playing with an extra man for most of the game after France had a player sent off.

Even though they could have gone out tonight, they are through. And I wouldn’t bet against them winning the whole thing. After all, they won the World Cup play dull, unimaginative football.

I think its the way they play so safe which frustrates me. There’s something within me which reviles against that which is safe. When not attempt something more risky? Why not try to create something spectacular rather than sneaking a single goal and then hanging on for the win?

For me, Italy winning the World Cup was bad for football. Do we want the teams or try so little and sneak wins held up as the pinnacle of the sport? I don’t. I love to see adventure.

I think this is relevant for organisations too. Do we want to play it safe and keep things predictable? Or will we attempt something grandeur, even if we don’t ‘win’? I know for me, I’d choose risk over safety any day.

What about you?

Tags: Football, Italy, Risk, Safety