Successfully getting off the ledge, to the edge, and then doing effective edgework depends on the absence of a looming threat, be it real or perceived. All three ideas I offered (1, 2, and 3) have in common one thing: they all aim at reducing threat.

But, don’t confuse threat and risk. Working at the edge is a risk. But then again, so is walking out your front door. A risk simply means a chance at failure. There’s a lot to be learned from failure and risk can be something that moves us forward if we handle it appropriately. Looming threats on the other hand elicit fear. And fear stops our forward movement and puts us into survival mode.

We need to clear the path to the edge of looming threats, real or percieved.