In any successful business, you’ll find a good mix of risk-taking and caution. Both are equally as important, and too much of one without an even balance of the other can be detrimental.
Luckily, here at Serendipit, we have a great mix of both! I was reminded of this when we took a day-long boating trip with our fiances to Canyon Lake, in Phoenix’s East Valley. After a fun, relaxing day in the sun, Alexis decided that it would be fun to attach a giant tube to the back of the boat so that we could be towed by the boys. I agreed, but was silently freaking out. What if they went too fast? What if I was thrown into a cliff? What if I drown?
We both climbed onto the tube (it was a one-person tube, so a tight fit!), and I gripped my handle as tight as possible to brace myself. Alexis held on loosely. The boys started the boat and immediately I started screaming as the tube flew across the lake. They were only going about 15 mph, but it felt like 50! Alexis was laughing and yelling at them to go faster (thumbs up) while I had a fake smile plastered on my face and was screaming for them to slow down (thumbs down). At some point, I started screaming even when things were calm and we were easily floating behind the boat.
Alexis turned to me and asked “Why are you screaming?” and I said “I’m afraid that something bad is going to happen, it’s going too smoothly right now!”
After my first fall, I calmed down a bit and enjoyed the ride, but still remained cautious.
What’s funny is that we’re just about exactly the same way when it comes to business. Alexis is ready to take over the world in one fell swoop, which is great for getting new business and being seen as a leader, and I like to step back, evaluate and make sure we are covering all the basis before I jump into a new task or client, which is great for keeping that business. Both of those traits are vital to the success of our business, and it makes for a great working relationship.
Too much caution can set you back, and too much risk-taking can easily lead you to the edge…but if you can find the right mix, it will be smooth sailing!
