Orville and Wilbur Wright, two American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers, are credited with inventing and building the world’s first successful airplane. Skeptics were plentiful as the brothers pursued their dream of manned flight. But they didn’t allow their detractors to kill their grand vision. They literally took a flyer—a significant risk—and because they did, the way people travel was forever changed. Every time we step on a plane, we reap the benefits of their leap of faith.

Paul Hudson writes: “Life is a series of calculated risks.” Asking Laura out on a date for the first time was a risk… the possibility of rejection loomed over my head. Reaching out to befriend a neighbor… commuting to work every morning (especially on Detroit freeways)… leaving your job to pursue your dream…staying at your job because you’re afraid to pursue your dream… risk is associated with all of these behaviors.

But here’s what I’ve noticed: the people who make the biggest impact on the world almost always are individuals who take a flyer. A calculated but significant risk. Visionaries who see things others don’t, and are dissatisfied enough with the status quo to do something about it.

Several years ago a poll of 80-year olds was taken. One of the questions was: “If you could have a do-over, what would you change? The number one response? “I would have taken more risks.”

Many of us have grown up in risk-adverse environments. The “play it safe” mantra has been drummed into our heads since we were toddlers.  Yet there is something inside of us yearning for more than a paycheck. (Although a paycheck is a good and noble pursuit.) It is the deep desire we humans have for significance. For legacy. But the road most-travelled calls, promising us a (false?) sense of security.

So how do we break out of the tendency to play it safe? How do we responsibly take a flyer?

Tap into destiny

In Psalm 139:13-16, David wrote: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb… all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV). God wired you and me in-utero for a specific destiny. For a quest bigger than ourselves. Spending time talking with Him and listening to Him helps us answer the question: “Why am I here?”

Do the homework

If you could do anything and know you wouldn’t fail, what would you do? (And the answer can’t be… laying in a hammock on a beach in Hawaii, sipping raspberry iced tea.). Once you answer that question, ask yourself and others, “Am I gifted to do this? Do I have passion for it? Can I make a living at it?” The Book of Proverbs tells us wisdom is found in the multitude of counselors. Submit your well-thought-out dream to trusted advisers who will tell you the truth.

Accept the possibility of failure

Success is not possible without the risk of failure. Taking a flyer gets easier when we understand failure is not fatal. Better to try and fail, then to never try. Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, said: “You’ll miss 100% of the shots you never take.”

Take the plunge

You will never be 100% sure of any decision in life. Paul Hudson: “The biggest risk in life is not taking one.” Three years ago, Laura and I took a flyer – I went part-time with my technology job in order to devote more time to our calling. It took two years of planning, praying, journaling, seeking counsel… but eventually we pulled the trigger. And just three months ago, we took another flyer, and went full-time with our calling. We’ve never regretted taking those plunges.

If you are paralyzed by fear, and refuse to take a calculated flyer, you’ll miss so much. You’ll miss watching God provide for you in miraculous ways. You’ll miss doing work you absolutely love. You’ll miss the chance of leaving something behind that will outlast your lifetime and make people’s lives better.

Tap into your destiny, do your homework, seek counsel, brace yourself for the possibility of failure… then take the plunge.