Don’t Become a Failure Expert - Part 1

Excuses for failure are far more prevalent than affirmations to succeed. It takes less effort to be a naysayer than a discoverer of solutions. Too many people become experts at what won’t work. They have incontrovertible justifications to explain why success in not within their grasp. Any subsequent failure is used to prove their logic correct.

Let’s look at some commonly used rationale adopted by failure experts and why they don’t have to apply to you.

It’s not so easy

Failure experts apply some arbitrary standard of effortlessness. If more than a modicum of exertion is required then a goal isn’t worth it. Since anything worthwhile takes effort, failure experts effectively rule out accomplishing anything more than the mundane.

Life is not a passive activity. Greater rewards require greater effort. Results are linked to the energy expended to achieve them. Often, a little more effort produces a lot more results. Seek objectives that are difficult to achieve as they offer the greatest rewards.

It’s too risky

Nothing is risk free. Usually someone who says they won’t attempt something because it is too risky, really means they are afraid of failure. Most endeavors do not require unwarranted risk. Success requires more than one attempt. A failure expert won’t even risk that.

Those willing to take calculated risks pass by others who are sitting on the sidelines playing it safe. Babe Ruth achieved his outstanding accomplishments because he kept swinging. In addition to holding the record for home runs he also held a record for strikeouts. If you don’t swing, you have no chance of making a hit.

I’ve had bad experiences

Failure experts allow their past to pollute their future. One bad experience becomes grounds to never make another attempt. If as an infant, they applied this reasoning, they never would have learned to walk.

Bad experiences are simply educational seminars. Dissect events to learn what you did wrong and what went right. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? Bad experiences are packed full of information that can make you stronger and more successful next time.

I’ve been advised against it

Advised by whom? Failure experts will seek and take advice from anyone. It doesn’t matter if their supposed advisors have no pertinent qualifications to back up their opinions. Just one negative comment is enough to abandon all plans.

If you want advice, seek out people who have already accomplished your objective. They are the ones who can impart the most meaningful guidance. Seek out examples of people who have conquered obstacles you may encounter. Emulate success, not failure.

The odds are not in my favor

People will play the lottery where they have no control over the outcome and the chances of winning are millions to one. Yet these same people will avoid attempting anything else that is less than a sure bet.

In your life, your persistence, drive, and determination enhance your odds of success. There are people with far less ability, talent, education, or money than you that succeed because they won’t give up. Each time you pick yourself up after stumbling, you improve the odds. Some of the most outstanding accomplishments are attained if the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

I don’t know how

Failure experts turn limited knowledge into a brick wall that stops their progress. Anything they don’t know how to do is automatically labeled as impossible. They believe their stagnation is due to a lack of education.
Knowledge on any subject is more readily available today than at any other time in history. If you don’t want to educate yourself, hire an expert to guide you. A lack of knowledge is neither a permanent condition nor a limitation.
The next column will dispel some more delusions held by failure experts.