Dan Lier - "America's Coach"
So, have you experienced some failure recently, or does the thought of failing paralyze you from taking action on your ideas or dreams? .When I ask people about failure, and their association to failure, I hear things like, disappointing, discouraging, setback, “I’m a loser.”…. How about you? If I were to ask you what it means to fail, how would you respond?
Well, if your response was similar the to responses above, there’s a good chance youare not maximizing your potential as a human being, and as a result, that affects yourself-esteem, your self-image and your results.
A New Perspective on “Failure?”
Years ago now, I met a very successful businessman in Atlanta, and was honored and privileged to sit with him and was anxious to learn some ideas from someone who had created multi-millions in his life.
So, I asked him, “What advice could you give me that you feel that many people just don’t understand in regards to achieving success.” And of course I had my notepad out ready to take some notes… and he responded in a very upbeat manner… he said, “Oh that’s easy,” he said to me “Fail as much as you can, as fast as you can.” I kind of smiled and my body language must have indicated that I didn’t really understand because he said, “did you get that did you.” He said again, “Fail as much as you can, as fast as you can.”
He said, “The only reason that I’m sitting here getting interviewed by you, is that I’ve failed more than anyone else that I know. The difference is what failure means to me and HOW I respond to it.
What I’ve learned that day and continued to recognize in other high achievers, is their understanding of failure. When you understand that there is value in failing, and it’s a necessary step to succeed, than it’s easier to wrap your head around. You were designed to succeed. The only way you have a chance to succeed is by moving forward, taking steps in a new direction, and for some reason you don’t get the results you are looking for, you’ve LEARNED something… you’ve learned what doesn’t work, and as long as you are committed to your outcome, you now have a better understanding of how to get there.
Failure Leads to Success
Most people have heard the story of one of the greatest inventors in history, yet he was also one of the greatest failures. Thomas Edison, in his quest to create the incandescent light bulb, failed between 5,000 and 10,000 times, depending on which piece of literature you read. Can you imagine that? Failing 10,000 times? C’mon, most people try something a couple of times and they quit… they just concede and say, “Oh, I guess this just isn’t for me.”
A young journalist was interviewing Thomas Edison and inquired, “Mr. Edison, why do you continue to waste grant money, when you know that the human race is destined togo through life with a kerosene lamp?” Thomas Edison replied, “Son, you just don’t understand success. I haven’t failed 10,000 times, I’ve found 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb.”
When you use failure as a learning tool, and take your experience and apply it to your vision, you are one step closer. The only way you can really fail is to not put yourself on the line, to not go outside your comfort zone.” A person who never fails is really the failure.
Understand very clearly, no one likes to fail, yet what it means to you will either fuel you or hold you back. What if you knew that failing was a necessary step to you reaching your goals? Would you be willing to play under those conditions? I think so.
Not long ago, I met with Magic Johnson in his Beverly Hills office, we were talking about a business venture… and of course everyone knows Magic from his basketball wizardry, yet he is one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the country. Do you think he had some setbacks? You bet. I firmly belief that his mindset, athletic background and understanding of the meaning of failure has really allowed him to succeed in the business market just has he succeeded on the court. He’s failed numerous times, yet he understands what it takes to win.
So, what about you?
Remember 90% of your success is your psychology. It’s how you handle the situations.So think about a specific failure that you’ve had, let me ask you a couple of questions? What did you learn during that experience that you can apply to your future opportunities? How has that experience made you wiser or stronger? Can you use that experience to motivate you to take action once again? That’s that key to overcoming failure. Remember, failing isn’t personal, it’s not you; it’s simply a result.
So here’s my question for you; if you knew that you had to fail over ten times to achieve that goal, would you still do it, would you still go after it? Yes or no?
If the answer was yes, than here’s my follow up question… with that in mind, that you were going to fail at least 10 times before you reached your goal, would you want that to take 3 years, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years? I think most people would say, hey, if failure is part of my success, let’s knock it out quick and get on with it; which reinforces our earlier conversation… fail as much as you can as fast as you can.
I hope this talk has helped you understand the psychology necessary in order for you to reach your goals. Remember, you are destined for success, keep your eyes on your target and learn along the way. Have an amazing journey!
Keep Believing
Dan Lier
About Dan Lier
