The Reward Of Risk

SuccessFailQuote

 

Every failure leads to a greater success. 

It is this very statement that I live by. The most successful entrepreneurs accept failure as an integral part of the journey. It is the chance of failure that makes the journey so fulfilling.
Your drive, your passion, and your motivation are not driven by the worry of getting fired or laid off. They are about the purity of creation, the dedication to your vision, and the bumps and bruises you are proud to own when things come together.

The purity of creation is the wholeness you feel when you invest all of yourself into something you truly believe in. You are creating from the deepest part of you. It is the raw, unfiltered, “you” coming out into the world. We are the most pure at our core. Being an entrepreneur allows that purity to be seen by others. It is this beacon of purity that other entrepreneurs are drawn to. They see and feel it radiating from you.
It shines.

The non-trepreneurs can’t see the light you are shining. It is fuzzy to them. It is “weird”, and they don’t get it. They need you here, with them, staying on the beaten path, hoping they’ll have you as a comrade for eternity. They are not bad people. They are simply following others along another path – one that you have grown tired of. And one that ends where it starts, every day. In the same place, at the same time.

The dedication to your vision is the unwavering focus and determination you have when you are materializing your imagination. It is the blank canvas on which you paint your future.

When you speak of your vision to others, you will usually hear one of three types of responses:

1. Stay where it’s safe and comfortable.
2. What?
3. I’m so excited for you!

For fun, list every person you’ve ever shared your ideas with and classify them. Put the numbers 1, 2 or 3 next to their name, indicating the type of response they gave you
Cross out all the ones, and put a question mark next to the twos.

Now look at your twos. Are there people in there you don’t believe will ever become a three?  If so, cross out their name(s).

The people left over are those you want to keep in your circle of influence. These are the ones that support your vision, and get excited to see you excited.
You might even want to add a fourth type: people with whom you want to share your ideas and spend more time.

You will get your share of bumps and bruises along your entrepreneurial journey. It has to be this way. Every bump is a stepping stone. Every bruise, a lesson. Every time you bang into an obstacle, it comes with the reward of a lesson. The journey can take months or years, but the rewards last forever.

There is no growth in a flawless life. 

 

 

This guest post was written by Paul Colaianni, mindful advisor at The Overwhelmed Brain

Paul Colaianni

Mindful Advisor at The Overwhelmed Brain
The Overwhelmed Brain Personal Growth Podcast and Blog

 

email: paul@theoverwhelmedbrain.com

Comments

  1. What an outstanding article, thank you Paul! Really appreciate the way you frame failure and the exercise to determine who to spend your time with. This is just another wonderful example why I’m a big proponent of you at TheOverwhelmedBrain.com.

  2. What a great post Paul and Christine! So many people get devastated by failure, yet it is truly the best teacher we have available!

    • Justin, I love your comment about failure being a teacher. I know I have learned a lot from failure, but I sometimes hide from it, as it is so hard to face our failures. It is such a temptation to react negatively rather than in a way that will lead up further along our journey.
      Christine

    • Thanks for your comment Justin! “Failure” is treated as such a bad word. But sometimes, a failure can be the best thing to ever happen to us. Failure definitely teaches us about success. It just does so in a more impactful way than most things ; )

  3. Bravo! I just had a conversation with a client today who has realized that failure is just part of it and really isn’t failure if there is learning that propels one forward. That was a certainly a win for the long-haul! Paul, your wisdom abounds. Christine, another great choice in selecting a guest blogger!

    • Amber, well done, on helping your client put failure into a more positive perspective. Failure can really inhibit us or propel us forward depending on how it is handled. By helping clients with this you are making such a difference in people’s lives.

      I agree that Paul was a great guest blogger. I have several wonderful guest bloggers lined up over the next few weeks, but if you know someone that you would love to read, please drop me a line.
      Christine.

    • Ha ha, stop! No, please go on : ). I love that your client got that Amber. Acceptance that failure is part of success will only lead to more success. And you’re right, a win for the long haul! Thanks for your kind words.

  4. “Every bump is a stepping stone.” I couldn’t agree more Paul. This is such a powerful topic – thank you so much for writing about it here!

  5. Straight and to the point. Surround yourself people who encourage your ideas. I might add one more type of person to this list. As I think about it, it might be a subset of #3. I uniquely covet those who are not only supportive, but can provide real and constructive feedback. We won’t always have the answers and we need to make sure that we don’t ignore feedback that may be critical. Always make sure that you surround yourself with people that will challenge you.

    For #3s, ask them why it wouldn’t work as well. This will give you a quick sanity check as to them being genuine in their enthusiasm, or just saying yes.

    F.A.I.L – Frequent Attempts in Learning

    • So true, that we need to speak to our network and listen to constructive criticism too. It takes wisdom to know when to say, actually I’m going to move ahead and listen and when to take heed. Phil, love your acronym of FAIL. Thanks, for sharing this. Christine.

    • Wow, what a fantastic response. You are my new co-blogger, ha ha! Excellent points, especially about the critical feedback that everyone should definitely want if they are to succeed. Though, you do have to filter that kind of feedback. A critical comment from someone who is normally close-minded doesn’t amount to much. However, a critical comment from someone whom you respect might be worth listening too!

      Love your reply Phil. Thank you for adding value to this post!

  6. corinths media says:

    tanks so so much, u just strengthen me. brief but mighty message.

  7. I have learned so much from my failures in the past. I am such a perfectionist that is was hard on my ego to fail, but I picked myself up and learned so much that I wouldn’t change those things, even if I could. Everything happens for a reason and those failures helped me to grow and learn for sure!! Thanks for the post.

    • I can so relate Celest! I am a recovering perfectionist. I’ve lightened up so much, but do focus my perfectionist traits on my entrepreneurial ventures. However, I’ve learned that there is never really failure, only feedback. It is how I grow too. Thank you so much for sharing!

  8. So true. I prefer #3 folks in my life. I’ve accepted the fact that there will always be the 1s and 2s but I make the decision to allow more 3s in my life now that I’ve launched a business.

  9. Failure is part of my everyday life. I learn from it and make the next step better. It comes down to living in an abundant or scarcity mindset. Thinking the glass is half full you know there is always more somewhere. Failing more often and recognizing what you can learn is the cycle that help your transform your vision. Take risks and do things that make you uncomfortable.

    • Wow, great insight Alex! Thank you for that. The risks some people never take typically lead to a life left unchallenged and without much purpose. I love your message: Sometimes you gotta get uncomfortable to make the next step better!

  10. Awesome, great advice! Entrepreneurship is exciting! I got very uncomfortable when I started my business again, but I am glad I did. Although, there were critical and negative feedback form my close family members, I was glad to say ” thanks for sharing” and move on. Thanks, Paul.

    • Thanks for sharing. I have heard many entrepreneurs talk about being uncomfortable, as it is when we leave our place of comfort that we can grow the most. Glad the post resonated with you.

    • Wow, I love that you pushed forward! Our family usually wants the best for us, but sometimes they are too scared to change themselves. Then when you change, they either have to adapt to the new you, or react out of fear.

      Those that adapt will always support you. Those who react from fear, aren’t ready to support you. Being your true self always wins in the end. This, you know. Thank you for sharing!

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