The Hall of Fame Basketball Player Michael Jordan once said “I’ve failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeed.”
Clearly, M.J. has had a remarkable career both on and off of the court. And like so many famous people that are perceived as super-stars… the rest of humanity has only seen their favorite celebrity’s “highlight” reel of accomplishments. We the endearing fans never really get to see behind the scenes at the struggles and failures that the Celebes have endured time and again just like you… before they hit the Big-Time!
The vast majority of people from all walks of life simply don’t handle disappointment or defeat very well. They say to themselves and worst of all to others… “That sure didn’t work out well… clearly I wasn’t cut out to do this.” Or perhaps… “I should have known better, nothing ever works out right for me.”
How many times have you said something like this out of frustration over your failure or disappointment? Everyone has and you are no exception. What’s more… I would wager the proverbial dollar for a donut that you really didn’t mean the things that you said. Deep down inside of yourself, you didn’t believe it either.
The difference between you and highly successful people like M.J. is that they didn’t bail on themselves or put themselves down. Instead they dug in harder, kept right on believing in their goals, dreams and abilities and never ever allowed themselves to give up. Not even for a minute.
When it comes to failing your way to success… carefully consider the following true story:
In the year 1831 a young man failed in a business venture. The following year in 1832 he ran for public office and met with resounding defeat for a legislative seat. Again, in 1833 this same man attempted to launch another business enterprise which also failed. In 1834 he made another attempt at running for public office and was elected to his state legislature.
However, in 1838 he was defeated for speaker. Once again in 1840 he was defeated for elector. And then in 1844 he lost a race for a Congressional seat. At long last in 1846, this man was elected to a seat in Congress, only to eventually lose it two years later in 1848.
Seven years later in 1855 he again ran for the Senate and was once more defeated. The very next year in 1856 he ran for Vice President but again did not win. Once more in 1858, he ran again for the Senate and was defeated. Then in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the President of The United States.
President Lincoln’s road to success was a rocky one to say the least. His journey to his goal of the presidency is a testament to the grit of determination, patience, perseverance and persistence. While Abraham Lincoln’s life began in a rustic log cabin, he overcame his humble beginnings and a multitude of failures in both business and politics. Abe Lincoln didn’t have a lick of quit in him and by not ever giving up, his tenacity eventually paid off. In the process, Honest Abe left behind a legacy of lessons for all to learn from.
Failure is the seed from which real learning sprouts. Just ask Thomas Edison who remained undeterred although he had already found over two thousand ways not to make a light bulb. The simple fact of the matter is that every one of your failures and disappointments is chock full of valuable lessons that will help you to excel and succeed on a brighter future day.
The road of life of the rich and famous is mired in difficulty, challenges and adversity. And it is this same road that you must traverse in search of your success. So what ever lies around the next bend in the road ahead… Be certain of this one thing, that you will never ever take failure lying down.
While they may be from different eras, Honest Abe and M.J. are undeniable proof that failure is never final!
Copyright © 2012 Developing Forward | Thomas H. Swank, CBC | All Rights Reserved.
