“Well, that didn’t work out quite the way I anticipated.†Have you ever uttered these words? Sure, we all have. For whatever reason, it can be difficult to overcome failure, recoup, and move forward.
If we are to succeed at anything we have to try. Remember, the greatest risk is not taking one.
Do successful people fail? You betcha!
Walt Disney was let go from a newspaper job because the editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
Steven Spielberg was turned down by the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Multiple times.
Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was “too stupid to learn anything.†He was then fired from 2 jobs for not being productive. He then went on to hold over 1,000 patents and created some life-changing devices, including the light bulb, phonograph, and a movie camera.
J.K. Rowling was a single mom living off welfare when she began writing the first “Harry Potter” novel. The book was rejected by 12 publishers before she received a nominal advance from the next.
There are many more stories just like these. What set these brilliant, successful people apart? They’re the 3 most important attitudes when we fail:
Perspective.
Hey, we all fail at some point in our lives. Putting failure in the proper perspective is the most critical reaction. It’s significant here to recognize that failure is most often related to something that you did than something that you are. So don’t take failure personally or as a reflection of your self-worth.
Own up to your mistakes and move forward. People who succeed don’t get discouraged by life’s setbacks. They are adept and can focus on the future opportunities, and their dreams become reality while others are sitting on the sidelines.
If you’ve been a reading of I’m Just Thinkin’ for a while you know that I’m a huge fan of perspective. It’s powerful stuff.
Optimism.
An optimistic person will bounce right off failure.
The optimist is resilient. They can rise from ashes. An optimist will see failure as a way of gaining wisdom and invaluable feedback.
The glass is half full to the optimist, whereas the pessimist sees the glass as half empty. Our optimistic view is to tend to believe the best possible outcome from a situation. This is in line with God’s plan. Remember Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
We adapt and find the value of a positive spirit when we fail. Carpe Diem to all of the optimistic!
Persistence.
Persistence is what you do with optimism in light of failure. It’s optimism in action. (Click to Tweet)
Persistent people can shake off failure and soldier on, while others are calling it a day and going home. They clearly see their goals and are focused on achieving them.
This makes the optimistic one great at rising to the top. If something in life is that important to me, I have to be persistent. Persistence and determination are omnipotent! Don’t ever give up on your dreams.
So… where does God fit into all of this?
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.†Psalm 16: 7-8
That’s right; God is by your side. Stay encouraged and remember the 3 most important attitudes the successful use to overcome failure. They will serve you well.
