2008 is wrapping up. To me, this is the perfect time for closure - especially regarding my shortcomings! While I'm a fairly optimistic guy with a bit of an ego, my past failures have a way of dragging me down. Do you know what I mean? They have a way of limiting me, keeping me from attempting great things. Therefore, I like to take on a new year having forgiven myself for all of the previous year's mistakes!
I grew up in sales. My dad was a vacuum cleaner distributor for 22 years. Now THAT is a tough job! And in sales, especially door-to-door sales, attitude is everything! And if you're dragging around the rejection of past clients, you'll never sell to the clients seated right in front of you! So my dad often said, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life! I forgive myself of all the wrong I've done, all the mistakes I've made and I'm starting over with a clean slate!" I heard him say that a lot! Even though he's a successful real estate broker, I still hear him say that around this time of year!
However, mistakes and failures teach lessons learned no other way! Unfortunately, even though I SHOULD learn from YOUR mistakes, they're boring teachers to me. MY mistakes, however, are amazing teachers! So while I forgive, I also congratulate myself for attempting something grand in the first place! No pain, no gain, right?
Craig Groeschel, in his book, It, says:
- Failure is not an option, it is a necessity!
- If you're not failing, you've stopped dreaming. You'll eventually stop learning. And you will stop growing.
- Failure is often the tuition for success (adapted from Walter Brunell).
- Great leaders learn the art of failing forward.
Peace and love and power to the people!
dh
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