Failure is defined as – an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success. That definition is clear; however, it’s not about whether or not you fail, but rather how you handle the failures. If you name anyone who has done great things, you will find a failure résumé and an understanding of how to fail.
Oftentimes, people on the outside looking in at successful people assume the success was achieved with ease, good luck, and on the first try. That is rarely the case; it’s usually the result of people who know how to fail. A couple of well-known examples include Walt Disney and Abraham Lincoln. Both knew how to fail and experienced failures that would cause most people to close up shop and begin playing it safe.
Some of Walt Disney’s failures and setbacks included:
- Multiple bankruptcies.
- Being told no for years as he tried to build a theme park.
- Being laughed at when introducing a talking mouse cartoon to studio executives.
Walt Disney took those failures in stride, didn’t care what people thought, and learned how to fail. The result is one of the most successful stories in American History. As a matter of fact, I just received an offer from Disney World in the mail as a former guest of the amazing theme park that naysayers said wouldn’t work.
A relatively long list of Abraham Lincoln’s failures and setbacks included:
- 1831 – He lost his job.
- 1832 – He was defeated in a run for Illinois State Legislature.
- 1833 – He failed in business.
- 1835 – His sweetheart died.
- 1836 – He had a nervous breakdown.
- 1838 – He was defeated in a run for Illinois House Speaker.
- 1843 – He was defeated in a run for nomination for U.S. Congress.
- 1848 – He lost re-nomination.
- 1849 – He was rejected for land officer position.
- 1854 – He was defeated in a run for U.S. Senate.
- 1856 – He was defeated in a run for nomination for Vice President.
- 1858 – Again, he was defeated in a run for U.S. Senate.
Abraham Lincoln took these failures in stride and learned along the way. He learned to follow his dreams and not be limited by his failures and setbacks. Lincoln learned to dream BIG. Think BIGGER.
In 1960, Lincoln was elected President and will remain one of our nations most successful Presidents. We must learn how to fail by focusing on our dreams, learning from our mistakes, not being crippled by the naysayers, and being willing to take risks.
Risks + Failure ÷ Dreams = Success
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan
Are you learning how to fail? Share your thoughts.
