Removing the U from Failure

By John C Maxwell

 

Do you think of yourself as a failure? Maybe not in every area of life, but in at least one important one? Well, you’re not alone. Many people think that having failed makes them a failure. Too many people. So many, in fact, that I wrote an entire book, Failing Forward, to challenge that perception.

Seeing yourself as a failure is a negative thinking pattern. It doesn’t make you feel any better, and, even more important, it doesn’t help you do any better in the future. To start “failing forward,” you need to look at failure differently.

Pick any area where you’ve repeatedly failed and do the following:

Examine your expectations for that area. Write them down. Are they realistic? Do you expect to do everything perfectly? Do you expect to succeed on the first try? How many mistakes should you expect to make before you succeed? You’ll probably need to adjust your expectations to allow many more mistakes or failures before success.

Find new ways to do your work. Brainstorm at least twenty new approaches to your job or task. Now, I should point out that people who fear failure have a hard time brainstorming because they don’t want to list a “wrong” idea. Be flexible and list even the most outrageous approaches. Then be even more flexible and try at least half of the ideas on your list.

Focus on your strengths. In areas where you’ve frequently failed, ask yourself, “What did I do right?” It’s normal to focus on what you did wrong in the situation, but everyone has some strengths. Rather than focusing on patching up your weaknesses, determine to use your best skills and personal strengths to maximize your efforts.

Vow to bounce back. No matter how many times you fall down, pick yourself up and keep going. This sounds too simplistic, but it’s really essential. Until you commit to keep going, you will always entertain the option of quitting after a failure.

Don’t wait until you feel positive to move forward. Instead, act your way into feeling good. And stop defining yourself as a failure. That kind of negative thinking will always block you from failing forward.

Honeymoon Phase?

 

Oh the honeymoon phase.  We're all familiar with it.  A new relationship starts and it's just so wonderful, everything you've always dreamed of.  You can't imagine how you've lived to this point without this special person in your life.  For the lucky ones, this phase lasts many, many years.  

But.... let's switch gears.  There is also a honeymoon phase with really everything.  You buy a new home... there's the initial excitement of moving in, unpacking, getting everything just how you want.  Eventually though that honeymoon phase comes to an end.  It all becomes habitual and normalcy sets in.  The daily routines of cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc... Every now and again we'll update something or do some renovations and for a brief time, that honeymoon phase feeling may just come back.

Now, what about starting a new job.  Think about it.  You work hard to get the job... the application process, the interviews and then the wait to see if you are the one who takes the position.  Your first day there's that feeling of nervous excitement.  You go through your training, you start working.... then day in and day out you go off to that job... and before you know it.... you're bored.  You just do what you have to do.

Maybe one day you think about how incredible it would be to be able to work from home.  Be your own boss.  Have no one to answer to.  You start looking online to find so many different options.  You get so excited about the possibilities.  The person telling you about the company is sharing all the amazing details with you.  You start dreaming of an amazing future.  You are excited again.  Look at that, here comes the honeymoon phase again!

We really do live on quite the rollercoaster ride.  The highs, the lows....

How long did the honeymoon phase last once you started your working from home venture?  Did it last until you realized how hard it really was going to be to earn any money?  Did it last until you realized you'd spent a ton of money you really didn't have to spend?

The harsh reality of working from home is this... most people jump in without really doing enough research.  They buy into the dream without asking the questions that need to be asked.

Don't get sucked in.  We're taught from a very young age to NOT believe everything we read or see on TV.  The same rules apply to starting your venture of working from home.  It's up to you to get as much information as you possibly can.

You wouldn't buy a home without an inspection, would you?  Would you buy a car without test driving it?  Do you try clothes on before trying them on?   

People spend more time planning their vacation then they do planning their futures.  Scary, isn't it?

You owe it to yourself to get the facts.  Believe it or not, there are legitimate companies out there.  Companies where real people are making real money.  Companies who have won many awards.  Ask to see the income statistics... this is something that must be provided... if the company is legit.  Don't take anyone's word for it.  That would be like the realtor saying... oh don't worry, that water on the basement floor is from me spilling my drink earlier.

For help in knowing what to look for, check out our Recipe To Success Videos

How Many Businesses Do You Have?

Ever wonder why some people advertise several businesses?  That has always puzzled me.  If you are doing well and seeing success with something, why on earth would there be a need for additional businesses??

That's the key right there... did you miss it?  IF YOU ARE SEEING SUCCESS WITH A BUSINESS THERE WOULDN'T BE A NEED TO ADD MORE BUSINESSES.

Think about it.  If you own a restaurant and you are busy, you are seeing a profit... would you then go and open a clothing store?  Probably not.  You might expand your restaurant though.  You might open a new location. 

Now let's talk about networking businesses.  The majority of businesses available are multi-level marketing (MLM) companies.  If someone involved with an MLM has more than one on the go at one time, what does that say?  To me it's they are keeping all avenues open because really they haven't found the one that will create the income they are looking for.  There is that doubt.  How long will the company last?  Will I ever really be able to earn a career income? 

Look at the number of MLM companies that have closed their doors.  It is very scary.  Recently there was an MLM company who terminated many of their top earners.  WHY??  Oh, yes, because they didn't have the money to pay them.  

Ask yourself this... Do I want to jump around to many different so-called business opportunities, constantly having to create new teams... or constantly having to drag my people around?  Won't you lose credibility with people?  What does that say?  Same thing goes with having more than one business on the go at one time.  What does that say to people?  Maybe that what you're doing just isn't working?  Wow, I'd want to get involved with that...yikes!  

Use your heads people!  If you have found the right company... there is no need for other businesses!  Put your focus on ONE business.  Put everything you have into that one business.  If you truly believe in the company and what you are doing... if the company is stable, not in debt, has a proven track record, publishes their annual income statistics, has been in business for 20+ years... what's the problem??  I say the big problem is people getting sucked into the ground-level start-up companies.  Or the dream of making it big.  How often does that really happen though with those types of companies??  

I've said it before, and will say it again... DO YOUR RESEARCH... ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS!

I have been with the same company for almost 11 years.  In the past 11 years, how many other businesses have I started? NONE!  Why?  Because what my company offers, no other company can even come close to touching.  And again, if you see success... why would you need anything else??

For some education on what to look for when looking to work from home, visit http://www.ceomomsonline.com/nicolebennett

I don't push, pull, drag or convince people.... if you do... maybe it's time to take another look at what you're doing.

To your success!

Nicole