Well, maybe not last, but not always first.
Yes, that pit will always be in my stomach as I watch my daughter ride a treacherous bit of terrain. But the sheer elation on her face and the growing confidence in herself when she cleans it? Well, that shatters my pit into a thousands bits of joy.
I feel that same pit every time I choose to tackle a tricky bit of trail or a tricky patch at work. And so, in the outdoors or at work, I aspire to be a “good failer.” If we can fail well, then the risk of taking risks decreases. And really, the only way to “fail well” is to practice A LOT.
However, we, and our kids, only get to practice failing if safety is sometimes second and sometimes even third or fourth.
So, that’s my question: how and when do we make safety second?
Missy Park, Founder
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
This saying was important to Rear Admiral Grace M. Hooper, mathematician, military leader, and computer programmer–and she was all of these at a time when women were not supposed to be a part of any of those professions. This adage is an important one to me as well.
What Missy is saying is that risk is a part of living and growing, She was not saying that one should disregard reasonable precautions.
What a perfect quote!
Another safety and health professional here, one that is committed to managing risk effectively both on and off the job. I work in high-risk environments and I also have very high-risk hobbies (i.e. training young horses). It is never acceptable to encourage a willful disregard for safety. Ever.
Missy .. You may want to word-smith your Blog. I’m quite sure your daughter strapped on a helmet and maybe some knee pads before tackling that terrain. It may be that because both she and you tackled some fear of trying something new that made you elated with pure joy.
When I was 38 I taught myself to ice-skate and then joined an Ice Hockey team. I was terrified of stepping on the ice at first but with practice, those fears subsided. Never did I attempt to skate without full hockey gear.
Perhaps what you meant was not that safety is LAST, surely you wouldn’t have someone mountain bike without proper gear. You always dress for the crash. However, overcoming fear and a good challenge is what is most inspiring. Telling your followers to disregard their safety is not prudent. But telling them to take small risks at their own comfort level and build up to greater challenges seems better.
I was recently upset over an email that was sent to me as an advertisement where one of the models shirts read: “I Love the F*UCK out of Bikes. I have Never been so offended by an ad in my life. Please Missy, keep your ads classy and sell your clothing. I’d Love a response from Missy over this. claire
I am a safety and health professional, one that helps mitigate risks so that tasks are completed safely. For a company that’s main clientele is women and girls I’m appalled at the message you are trying to convey. My dear, safety should NEVER be last.