Greatness Rarely Comes To Those Who Always Play It Safe

"It takes courage to fail. The majority always plays it safe, so they rarely achieve greatness."

-- Robert Greene

You know, many people have a natural tendency to play it safe and avoid taking risks. It's comfortable and familiar to stick with what we know and to avoid the possibility of failure. We often fear the unknown and the potential setbacks that come with trying something new or pursuing our dreams.

But here's the thing: greatness rarely comes to those who always play it safe. It's those who have the courage to face failure head-on and take calculated risks who have the chance to achieve something truly extraordinary.

Think about successful individuals throughout history who have made significant contributions in various fields. Whether it's in science, arts, sports, or entrepreneurship, these individuals often had to overcome failures and setbacks along the way. They took risks, experimented, and sometimes stumbled before finding their path to success.

For example, let's consider Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb. He famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison faced numerous failures and setbacks before finally discovering the right combination of materials for the light bulb. If he had been afraid of failure and played it safe, we might still be living in the dark today.

By embracing failure, we open ourselves up to valuable learning experiences. Every failure teaches us something new, provides insights, and helps us refine our approach. It's through these failures that we gain the wisdom and knowledge necessary to achieve greatness.

Now, this doesn't mean that we should actively seek failure or take reckless risks without considering the consequences. Rather, it means having the courage to step out of our comfort zones, pursue our passions, and take calculated risks that have the potential for significant rewards.

It takes courage to fail because it requires us to confront our fears and persevere despite setbacks. It means pushing through the discomfort and uncertainty that failure brings and continuing to move forward. By doing so, we distinguish ourselves from the majority who play it safe and settle for mediocrity.

So, the lesson from this quote is to embrace failure as a stepping stone on the path to greatness. Don't be afraid to take risks, learn from your failures, and keep pushing forward. Remember, it's often through failures that the most remarkable achievements are born.