“In an age of unlimited memory, the most important act is remembering not to remember.”

I recently read a great article in WIRED (August 2009) – Forgetful by Design, by Clive Thompson. In the feature, he makes the point that technology has made us more cautious, less willing to take risks for fear that our potential failures will never be forgotten. And, to quote the author, “Society suffers when people stop taking risks.”

All of us are faced with decisions that are filled with risk, many times influenced by circumstances that are beyond our control. Generally speaking, walking into unchartered territory involves crisis, opportunity, often failure, generally fear, sometimes suffering, always the call to a task that is seemingly too big for us.  The great adventure begins with our willingness to face risk head on.

Risk always holds the possibility of failure, but it also holds the potential for great success. What we must remember is the simple truth that failure does not shape us; the way we respond to failure shapes us.

I am often overwhelmed by the number of tasks that I want to get done, usually within an unreasonable time frame.  I get excited over each project, envisioning the potential but realizing the possibility of failure as well.  Those who know me well would say I’m a bit “hands-on” or, in their words, “controlling.”  I want to control the outcome, to do everything I can to guarantee success (however that is determined with each project).  I can put way too much pressure on myself leading to STRESS that’s more destructive than beneficial.

I guess I’m mostly writing to myself here and realizing that I need to re-evaluate some of the projects on my desk, organize my plans, and revise my deadlines.  Hmmm, I think I’ll get right on that.

And, by the way, in an effort to build a more connected community, I’m throwing spammers to the wind and have decided to open the Comments on my blog.  I hope I hear from you…I know, it’s risky!