risk + performance outcome = satisfaction with project
I’m beginning to realize how important it is to have butterflies in your stomach before you launch a new project.
For example, I’ve given dozens of workshops in the past year and the ones I’ve been most satisfied with are the ones in which I felt a little nervous going in. I felt like it might not work. I was taking a risk.
Obviously, if the workshop fails, the pleasure with the project isn’t very high. But, it’s definitely not zero because taking risk and failing leads to learning.
If a session goes smoothly, but there were no risks involved, the satisfaction isn’t very high either. It’s boring to do something unoriginal. There’s no growth or challenge when you repeat something old.
The sweet spot is when you take a risk and it pays off. The workshop goes smoothly despite the pre-game nerves.
Remember, those nerves are often a good sign that you’re on the right track.