Read previous Myth 7 of 8: Money Is the Root of All Evil

Most are afraid of failing, and we started developing this mindset when we were in school. We were told, “If you don’t get good grades, you won’t get a good job,” or “If you fail, you’re stupid,” or whatever.

It’s the same when you’re working in the corporate world, “If you make a mistake, we’ll fire you” or “If you don’t meet the criteria, you won’t get the salary increase.”

We are punished for making mistakes when in reality, the most successful people are those who failed the most. We are designed to learn by making mistakes.

Remember when you were learning how to ride a bike? You fell off your bike and got back up again; then you fell off and got back up again. After falling and learning from your mistakes, you eventually rode your bike without difficulty. It is a big mistake not to learn from your mistakes.

Many are paralyzed by the fear of failure, not willing to try something new or risk making mistakes. This is where I find that having mentors to guide you is key. I love my business where I am encouraged to make mistakes, correct, learn, and grow, and repeat the process. To me, that is life-changing education.

Back in 1944, a director of a modeling agency told the hopeful Norma Jean Baker, “You’d better learn secretarial work or else get married.” She went on and became Marilyn Monroe.

In 1962, four young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of a recording company and were turned down. An executive said, “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out.” The group was called The Beatles.

Paul Galvin at the age of thirty-three had failed twice in business. He attended an auction of his failed storage battery business and with his last $750 bought back the battery eliminator portion of it. That part became Motorola. When he retired in the 1960′s, he said, “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”

Most people are not successful in life because of unwillingness to fail, but character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through pain and disappointments can the soul be strengthened, dreams encouraged, and success achieved.

Kiyosaki’s rich dad said, “A true winner knows that losing is part of the process of winning. It is only the losers of life who think that winners never lose. A loser is someone who dreams of winning and does everything possible to avoid making mistakes.”

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” –Dale Carnegie

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