This is something that took me a long time to understand when I was young and gun hoe. That failing was a good thing and that it is part of the road to success, "no way, I have to WIN!"
Coming from a competitive sporting background where winning was the only thing on my mind, it was hard to understand this concept. You may be able to relate to this.
It wasn't until I was involved in business that I realised how effective failing can be. Although it is only effective when you have the right mind set and actually take something out of it. As John C Maxwell calls it, "Failing forwards." There is nothing wrong with failing at all. In fact, it is making you a better person, athlete, parent or business owner with every failure you go though and overcome.
A few questions I ask myself after I go through a failure is:
- What could I have done differently?
- What did I do well?
- What didn't I do well?
- Was I unrealistic?
- Did the goal mean that much to me?
- Did I progress at all? If so, then it is a WIN!
By asking these questions, I get an idea as to what I could have done differently to achieve what I failed and I also learn what didn't work for me whilst attempting this. Taking this approach, I guarantee you will always be learning and progressing. No matter how many times you fail, you will still be a more developed individual after each time as long as you implement what you learnt from your previous failures.
Here's a few examples:
Walt Disney got rejected 300 times by investors and banks...300 TIMES! But he did not give up, he learnt from his failures and changed his approach and pitch and look at what finally happened...Crazy!
The famous Michael Jordan quote:
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot...and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed."
Can you imagine the determination that Jordan must have as well as the desire to achieve and win. But he only got to where he is today by failing and learning from it each and every time.
Realise that failing is part of your journey and there is something positive that comes out of it every time!
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
