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Adam Smith | July 2, 2013 | 10 Comments

Stop Playing It Safe

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play-it-safe Photo Credit: Steve Koukoulas via Compfight cc

All of us want to hide behind safety. It is the easy way out to keep thinking the same thoughts, keep having the same ideas, keep saying the same things and keep producing the same products. But, the problem with playing it safe is that growth is squandered and the previous is continually repeated. If every company repeated the past, new products and technologies would not exist.

So, what does that mean for us? Whether you are thinking as an individual or as a cog of a business, freshness is a necessity for being noticed. Not only that, but it has to be present to stick around for any period of time. Thinking outside of the box ensures you being relevant a year, five years or even ten years down the road.

Playing it safe is a learned habit. It can be broken and needs to be, so you can be relevant for the future. 

No matter who you are or what you do, there is at least one way you can begin making a difference in a new way. The first step is to convey the points that apply to your passions. Those things that you really believe in. After this step, the key is to stand for what you believe in and this comes from preparation, studying and practice. These are the daily things that will produce knowing what you believe from the inside-out and confidence is instilled. Confidence in what you believe is necessary to stand firm when communicating to others and confidence in yourself produces confidence in others.

How have you seen a company think “outside of the box” and win? You can leave your comment below.

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Filed Under: Leadership

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darrell says

    July 2, 2013 at 5:26 am

    Adam,

    I absolutely agree. Letting go of the familiar, the safe, is a necessity for affecting dramatic changes in our lives. For me, learning to stop investing so much emotional attachment to stuff, and the fear of losing that stuff, was a giant leap.

    Many thanks for your encouragement.

    Reply
  2. Darrell says

    July 2, 2013 at 6:26 am

    Adam,

    I absolutely agree. Letting go of the familiar, the safe, is a necessity for affecting dramatic changes in our lives. For me, learning to stop investing so much emotional attachment to stuff, and the fear of losing that stuff, was a giant leap.

    Many thanks for your encouragement.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      July 2, 2013 at 8:27 am

      That’s something that I have dealt with as well, Darrell. My dealings with selfishness has been a huge part of heading in the right direction. Wow, life is a journey.

      Reply
      • Darrell says

        July 2, 2013 at 8:46 am

        Yes sir! We need to stop looking down at the pebbles on the path and just head toward the horizon. The pebbles may trip us up but with our eyes fixed we can keep moving forward! Thanks again!

        Reply
  3. asmithblog says

    July 2, 2013 at 8:27 am

    That’s something that I have dealt with as well, Darrell. My dealings with selfishness has been a huge part of heading in the right direction. Wow, life is a journey.

    Reply
    • Darrell says

      July 2, 2013 at 8:46 am

      Yes sir! We need to stop looking down at the pebbles on the path and just head toward the horizon. The pebbles may trip us up but with our eyes fixed we can keep moving forward! Thanks again!

      Reply
  4. Julia says

    July 8, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Playing it safe is an innovation killer. Two companies come to mind. Zumba Fitnees LLC. Started by an aerobics instructor who forgot his music one day and winged it. Today, the company keeps breaking records in the fitness word. The second company is owned by my mentor. Perfect 10 Corporate Cultures started after a house wife from Ohio changed the sport of gymnastics by adding a whole lot of empathy. Great stories of every day people doing what they love.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      July 8, 2013 at 6:45 pm

      I love those Julia. thanks so much for sharing. Inspiring!

      Reply
  5. Julia says

    July 8, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Playing it safe is an innovation killer. Two companies come to mind. Zumba Fitnees LLC. Started by an aerobics instructor who forgot his music one day and winged it. Today, the company keeps breaking records in the fitness word. The second company is owned by my mentor. Perfect 10 Corporate Cultures started after a house wife from Ohio changed the sport of gymnastics by adding a whole lot of empathy. Great stories of every day people doing what they love.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      July 8, 2013 at 6:45 pm

      I love those Julia. thanks so much for sharing. Inspiring!

      Reply

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