Pulling Carpet: Four Questions for Assessing Risk

Jun 24th 2008
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Last week, we decided that it was time for the carpet in the main area of our home to disappear. Since purchasing the home a year ago, we have discussed removing the carpet in hopes that underneath we would find beautiful hardwood floors. Until last week, we didn’t have the guts to do it.

Pulling back the carpet is a scary thing. With each tug, I was fearful that I would find a gaping hole, the chalk outline of a human body, or a secret entrance to an ancient Native American burial ground. We were entering the unknown. What did we discover? Some beautiful wood flooring which, with a little work, will bring an incredible value to our home.

In our lives we have lots of “pulling the carpet” moments. We are faced with the opportunity to either accept things as they are –or more accurately as we perceive them —or to take a risk and see what might be possible behind the status quo. We often see clearly what needs to be done, but find ourselves afraid to take the risk. I would argue that risk is essential to being the successful people that we want to be. But, risk is still scary and takes a leap of faith to move beyond.

To help you pull back the carpet on your own lives, here are Four Questions to consider when looking at a risk.

1. What about the status quo unacceptable?

Before taking a risk, we must be able to identify why the current situation needs to be improved (or removed). Are these real needs or simply the “grass is always greener” mentality. Some of us are prone to making sweeping life changes, when perhaps only one area needs to be addressed. Some of us grow comfortable living with situations that we find unacceptable. First, we must ask ourselves to take an honest assessment of the condition of our present lives. What factors do we find unacceptable? What must change for us to be the people we’d like to be?

2. What do I stand to gain by making the change?
In our case, we stood to benefit by getting our preferred flooring in the home plus an increase in house value. The reward was great! In other situations, one might find that the reward is not all it’s cracked up to be. We can never fully know the extent of the gain until we step into it and live it for awhile. However, we can use all the resources at our disposal to evaluate what might be possible if we take a chance.

3. What do I stand to lose by making the change?

All positive change involves risk. There is always something to lose, whether physical, monetary, or relational. What will you have to give up to make the change that you’re considering? How does it compare to what you stand to gain? Does the reward outweigh the risk, or is the risk so great that it minimizes what you stand to gain.

4. What is keeping me from doing it?

Many people have assessed properly and know what they need to do, but are afraid to take the leap of faith needed for start pulling back the carpet. Ask yourself what factors are standing in the way of you taking the leap. Are these real or perceived obstacles? Are there poor habits which much be adjusted? Has a past failure inclined you to play it close to the vest? Identify these obstacles and then take steps to remove them. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself treading on the same, worn carpet for the remainder of your life.

So, there you have it. I have seen so many friends go through these decisions and achieve positive results. Whether you’re thinking about going freelance, entering a new relationships, changing faith communities, taking a new job, traveling to another country, or broadening your horizons with any new experience, you should go for it. Don’t let anything stop you. Ask yourself these questions, and if the reward outweighs the risk, take the leap into the unknown. I’m willing to bet that you’ll be glad you did.

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