Risk Something or Forever Sit With Your Dreams

Are you still sitting in your dreams without risking something?

If you're like most people, you probably dream of accomplishing great things but never take the necessary steps to make them happen. But what if you could achieve your biggest goals and dreams by taking small steps each day? It's definitely possible with a little bit of effort and planning. So get started today! The only thing holding you back is yourself.

My guest on this podcast episode is a friend of mine, Chandler Withington. I love all of my conversations on the podcast, but this one is special because Chandler and I had this conversation when he was experiencing a lot of unknowns and a lot of changes happening, and he didn't have the answers. He just had faith and continued to walk through what he was in while living out his values. I have to warn you to put your seatbelt on because this will be a little bit of an emotional conversation, and it's just so good and surreal.

Who Is Chandler Withington?

Chandler Withington is, first and foremost, a husband and father. He used to work with Merion Golf Club as golf staff, and he is a historian of the game. He values the life lessons learned on the course. Chandler was also the Head Golf Professional at Hazeltine National Golf Club, which hosted the 2016 Ryder Cup. However, he resigned from his lucrative job and he shares in this episode the events that took place leading up to him stepping back from his dream job while trying to balance work and home life without sacrificing one for the other. He also talks about what it's like being in an unknown season right now, and how it feels to live out your own advice to risk something.

Taking the Risk of Letting Go Of a Lucrative Job

What would you be willing to walk away from if it meant finally achieving your dreams? Most people wouldn't give up their current lifestyle without a second thought, but for some, the allure of finally doing what they love is too strong. If you're thinking about making a change in your career, it's important to weigh the risks and rewards before taking the plunge. Quitting your job to start a business or pursue a new dream can be terrifying, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. 

“I think there's a lot of career paths that we all chase after. … I have nothing bad to say about the people there [in Hazeltine]. It's just that they have an expectation of the pro that was pretty much set in stone. So, … [me and my wife] were just trying to look at it and say, ‘Is this the best fit for us right now while having three kids that are ten, six, and three?’ … I want to be a father. … and it seemed like they were getting like the leftovers of my time and my energy.” - Chandler Withington

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel like you need to have your entire life planned out by the time you reach a certain age. While certainly there are benefits to having a plan and knowing what you want in life, don't forget that it's okay to change your mind. It may seem scary to quit a dream job and go out on your own, but it's worth it, especially if you invest in time for the family while you still can before the kids have grown old enough to live their own lives. By then, having time with them is scarce and precious. 

“I've met too many parents who've told me like, ‘Look, once they go off to school, you're lucky if you get seven days a year with them if they come home for the summer, once they're out of your roof.’ … Knowing the time expectation of a job like the one I was in, and knowing it's probably not gonna change, you’re kind of left with two decisions: … What are our values and what's most important to us, and what do we want to accomplish?” - Chandler Withington

While you still have control over your own schedule, you can make your work fit around your life instead of the other way around, and when you're not chained to a desk all day, you'll have more time for the things and people that matter most to you. Certainly, there are risks in changing careers. But sometimes, you have to make a leap of faith to achieve something that works best not just for you but for your loved ones as well.

Why You Should Take Some Risks 

What's the worst that can happen if you take a risk and go for your dreams? You might fail, but at least you'll know you tried. Would you rather sit at home and wonder what could have been or take a chance and see where it leads? Sure, it's scary to put yourself out there, but if nothing is ventured, nothing is also gained. So take a risk today, and see how far you can go!

“You're gonna have to roll the dice here [and there] at some point. … I think life isn't meant to be played safe. … You have to take some chances. And I think I've done that and … it's gotten us this far. … Sometimes they don't always work out, but I think we're meant to take some risks sometimes.” - Chandler Withington.

When we're children, our parents and teachers often tell us to play it safe. They warn us of the dangers of playing in the street or climbing too high up a tree. As we get older, this advice often continues, with warnings about choosing safe career paths, investing our money wisely, and being careful with who we date. But what if life is actually meant to be played unsafely? What if taking some chances is the only way to truly experience all that life has to offer? The choice is yours.

“Life is full of choices, and I think golf prepares us for this. It's the ultimate risk-reward decision. Are you gonna lay up? Or are you gonna go for it? To resign from a job without another job lined up … is risky. … I think we also [need to] have enough confidence in choosing to hopefully find something that does allow [us] a little more freedom.” - Chandler Withington.

In order to have a fulfilling life, we need to be confident in the choices we make. We need to be confident that our choice of lifestyle will lead us to freedom. Freedom isn't just about having the ability to do what we want when we want. It's also about having peace of mind and being content with our decisions. We can only find this kind of freedom by living with intention and confidence. So don't be afraid to go after what you want in life! Pursue your dreams with all you've got, and know that you can handle whatever comes your way. With confidence, anything is possible!

Why You Should Listen to This Chandler Withington Podcast Episode Right Now… 

Guys, this interview with Chandler Withington is such an incredible one, and I’m sure you will be inspired by our conversation. We all want to be successful. We want to achieve our goals and dreams and live life on our own terms, but it's not always easy. Sometimes we have to take risks to get there, and that can be scary. But if you don't risk anything, you'll never achieve anything either. So what are you waiting for? Risk something today, and start living your dreams!

Before I conclude this episode, I want to share with you something Chandler said that I found worth remembering. I asked him what the topic would be if he had to give a TED talk on something he wasn't known for, and this was his answer: 

“I don't know if I'm ready to give a TED talk, but there's only one TED talk that I refer a lot of people to. So I guess I would steal that one, and I would encourage a lot of people that are listening to this — look up Julia Galef’s, ‘Why You Think You’re Right, Even When You’re Wrong.’  That one flipped me upside down. … Essentially what she's trying to get you to look at is you. … People kind of adopt a warrior mindset. … There are the warriors and there are the scouts. The warriors are the ones who just try to defeat the opponent at all costs. They see that opponent and they’re [ready] to strike down the opponent. [In contrast, the] scout has to look at all the ways to beat the opponent. So they have to consider everything before they form their opinion.” - Chandler Withington.

In today's world, it is so important to be able to think quickly on your feet and make decisions in the spur of the moment. Do you have what it takes to be a warrior? Or are you more of a scout? Knowing which mindset you have can help you better understand how to live your life.  

Cheers to your success! I’m rooting for you.

Kyle Depiesse