Not this class, or any of your other classes necessarily. I'm talking about failing in a general sense. Failing at something you think you want.
Failure is something that happens to everyone at some point, but this doesn't mean it is unavoidable. In fact, failure can be fairly well predicted. Consider the following list of the ten most common predictors of failure. Does anything sound familiar?
1. It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep, you’re probably doing the wrong thing.
2. You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality. That can includes a time management plan, a financial plan, or a strategic plan.
3, You’re waiting for everything to be perfect. Instead: test-drive it. Beta-test that new idea. You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if you think it has to be absolutely right from day one.
4. You’re not willing to work hard. Sorry, but everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance.
5. It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not.
6. You’re banking on successes from the past. I’ve watched organizations hang on to a good idea for too long. Time passes. Momentum fades. It’s risky to let go of the past and jump on the next wave.
7. You’re unwilling to stop doing something else. Complexity is easy. Simplicity takes discipline. You can’t build a healthy marriage if you’re unwilling to give up dating other people.. Who/what do you need to stop dating?
8. You tend to do things alone. Anyone can hire from a resume. You need to find people you want to share life with. In the long run, great relationships will get you out of bed in the morning.
9. You won’t have the tough conversations. When breakdown happens (and it always does), someone needs to put on their big-boy pants and initiate the difficult conversation that leads to relational healing.
10. You’re afraid of failure. When fear consumes you, it will cause you to do stupid things. You’ll let negativity distract you. You’ll embrace the known, and grow comfortable with mediocrity. The more often you fail, though, the more often you’ll find success.
I think this is a really great list to work through when embarking on a new and challenging initiative. Agree/Disagree? Any thoughts on what may be missing from this list?
