The document discusses how people often define the purpose and function of their lives based on external sources like bosses, spouses, and social expectations rather than looking within themselves. This poses a risk, as people may get to the end of their lives wondering what happened without having lived according to their own self-defined purpose. The document advocates finding meaning from within through introspection rather than leaving all the risks to the end of one's life.

1. The Biggest Risk Of All

2. I was driving somewhere the other day
with an Australian friend.

3. We were going to some restaurant,
she knew where it was, I didn't, so she
was giving me directions.

4. She said, "turn left up there after the
zebra crossing."

5. And I immediately thought, "What? I
don't see any zebras?"

6. See in the states, where I'm from, we
call them "cross walks" or "pedestrian
crossing."

7. And if you're driving in the mountains
you might see a warning sign that says,
"Deer crossing."

8. So when she said "zebra crossing," it
sounded like a place where zebras
cross the street.

9. Of course, a second later I realized that
the "zebra" was a description of what
it LOOKED LIKE, rather than a
description of what it was USED FOR.

10. The old, "form" vs. "function"
argument.

11. Some things are described by how
they look, others are described by
what they do.

12. In Japan, they say that "every meal is
enjoyed twice."

13. Once when you look at it, and once
when you eat it.

14. This means when they prepare meals,
the PRESENTATION is just as important
as the TASTE.

15. Sometimes more so.

16. Now, personally, I'm the type of guy
who'd rather pay ONLY for taste.

17. I don't really care what it looks like.
But that's just me.

18. I'm NOT the kind of guy who takes
photos of his meal before he eats.

19. In fact, I'm usually FINISHED before
everyone else has started! (But I
digress...)

20. The point is that if you spend TOO
MUCH time worried about what you
LOOK LIKE, you'll impact what you are
able to DO.

21. Form is fantastic, so long as it doesn't
impede function.

22. Now, what is the FUNCTION of your
life, you may ask?

23. The truth is that YOU are the ONLY
ONE who can answer that question.

24. Of course, since very few people take
the time to determine the purpose of
their own lives, it generally gets
decided by others.

25. Bosses, spouses, kids, parents, TV
commercials.

26. It seems that people are desperate to
find meaning ANYWHERE but within
themselves.

27. The problem is if you look OUTSIDE
yourself for meaning, YOU, and YOUR
LIFE will eventually be DEFINED by
those outside sources.

28. Not yourself.

29. And since this happens very slowly,
you run a HUGE RISK.

30. And that is you'll get to the end of your
life and wonder what the heck just
happened!

31. And guess what? Why do people look
OUTSIDE themselves for answers?

32. They are AFRAID of choosing on their
own. And making a mistake. And
having to "do over."

33. So instead of living through several
"short term" and "low consequence"
risks, they leave ALL THE RISK to the
end of their lives.

34. Hoping it will end up OK!

35. Well, I don't know about you, but
screw that noise!

36. Of course, living ON PURPOSE requires
courageous introspection.

37. You MUST be willing to question things
about yourself most are too scared to.

38. But if you do, you'll get things MOST
NEVER KNOW.

39. mindpersuasion.com/emotional-freedom/