In Over Your Head?

Probably one of biggest reasons we hesitate to step out of our boat and walk on water is thought, "what if I sink?" Well, what if you do? What is worse thing that will happen to you? Have you considered it?

If you haven't, then you're not ready to take plunge. That may sound overly simplistic, but here is something you need to take to heart! "The devil you know is better than devil you don't." In other words, examine details in devil.

The more you know more fear of failure will diminish. You will never have all answers beforehand so just forget that. If you had all answers, you would probably never fail. Michael Jordan said, "I have failed over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed!"

Sounds like a contradiction doesn't it? You mean failure brings success? Yes! But, guess what? Success doesn't continue uninterrupted. Sooner or later cycle turns and you experience another failure.

Round And Round She Goes!

Why is that? Cause I said so! Nah.. I lied; I just wanted to see if you were listening. It happens because everything in this universe goes in cycles. Life cycles to death, sowing cycles to reaping, failure cycles to success.

You may remember story of Babe Ruth. During his career he was home run king of baseball. He hit over 700 home runs. He had another statistic that was not much publicized. He was also strike out king.

Yea, he struck out over 1400 times in his career. On one instance, a reporter was interviewing Babe Ruth and suggested that he slow up on his swing because he had fallen in dirt several times during a game that day. Babe told reporter to pity poor pitchers and not him.

Consider this: The most successful people in life are ones who have failed most often. The thing that distinguishes them from others is they are not afraid to risk it all. Remember this: "it's one thing to talk about bull fighting; it's another thing to get in ring with that bull!"

Just Between You And Me And The Fence Post!

A number of years ago I used to trade futures markets. Now granted, it was certainly not as physically dangerous as bull fighting. But excitement would send your adrenalin through roof.

To see some of emotions that I and others would experience you would think that we did have 6,000 pounds of Black Angus beef charging to do a tap dance on our heads.

Early in morning we would discuss our strategy for day and we were all in agreement that if "such and such" happened, we would take appropriate action. Well, when "such and such" did happen, we found ourselves reasoning with ourselves and allowed fear of failure to jack our emotions up and down like a toilet seat at a mixed party.

There are those who are motivated to succeed ("Success-Seekers") and then there are those who are motivated to avoid failure ("Failure-Evaders") with a few distinct differences between them.

Failure. Success-Seekers embrace failure. They know that each mistake they make will be another step closer to victory. Failure-Evaders sense failure and avoid it at all costs. In turn, they aren't able to learn and grow, but instead they do just enough to simply pass and are pleased by this.

Risk. Taking more calculated risks is common for Success-Seekers. They take more risks, make more mistakes (but learn from them) and can accept embarrassment every once in a while if something doesn't pan out. It can be quite humbling to put pride in your back pocket and take a hit to ego if you took a risk and failed. Failure-Evaders wouldn't be able to cope with this stress and would prefer not to take safe bet.

Ambition. Success-Seekers are able to plan into future and set higher goals for themselves. They might need to see through clouds to look ahead into future -- not everyday will be 'sunny and clear' -- but are able to do so to clearly identify their goals and their surroundings. By looking ahead and envisioning future, they're more likely to see bumps along path and plan ahead to bypass them or minimize its' effects. Failure-Evaders are more short-term oriented. They don't plan for long-term win, but rather, short-term "pass". They may achieve their goals, but their goals are often more easily attainable and unchallenging.

Success-Seeker

Are you motivated to create brand new, unique products or services, develop new relationships, take risks and be creative? Are you more likely to not only achieve your goals but surpass them? If so, you're more likely to be a Success-Seeker.

Success-Seekers hold these characteristics:

Creativity Willing to take calculated risks Not satisfied with status quo Embrace change Ambitious Future-Oriented Fast-Paced Cool, Calm and Collected Decision Makers Problem Solvers Leaders

Failure-Evader

Are you motivated to achieve your goals because you don't want to look bad, or want to prove that you can achieve what your neighbor can too? Are you satisfied if you simply pass? If so, then you're a Failure-Evader.

Failure-Evaders hold these characteristics: