Blog #739: The Secret to Failing Less

Often…
We give it everything we’ve got.

But despite doing our best…
Failure and rejection can still punch us hard.

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I know failure well.

As a lifelong entrepreneur and somebody who throws himself out there publicly… the number of rejections I’ve received in my life is uncountable.

And even though I KNOW in my head I gave many of the failures my “Shawn Anderson Best”…rejection sticks with me like a painful sliver deep in the skin.

Still.

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A few weeks ago…

I sent an email to a big-shot non-profit leader who has a connection to volunteerism and service…each theme tied deeply to Extra Mile Day (11/1).

I’d met her before, had a long conversation, thought we had a sincere connection…and I was now seeking her input on taking Extra Mile Day and celebrating volunteerism to the next level.

It was the second time I’d reached out to her.

Both times I heard…

Nothing.

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It’s impossible to be alive and not feel defeat’s sting.

Last week…

I suffered a health setback after beginning a serious training regime that would take me walking across another country.

This week…

I received the coldest of rejections to a podcast I thought I was a perfect fit for.

It’s all just life.

______

But you know what?

We continue.

I write a lot about not giving up on what we want to live.
I breathe, eat, and sleep the “go the extra mile” message.

BUT…

“Going the extra mile” does come with an important caveat.

If our effort failed once, even twice before…
It’s foolish to continue to keep doing the same thing in the same way.

That’s just a silly obsession of feeling good about having “tried.”

I don’t try to just TRY.

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My truth?

I’m an official pro at having failed a lot.
I’m also a top amateur in overcoming failure.

My strategy?

#1. I keep my same vision.
#2. I hold onto the same goal.
#3. I maintain my determination.

AND…

#4. I rethink how to do it.

That means…

I look for a new path.
I create a new strategy.
I walk around the mountain instead of climbing over it.

But you gotta’ know…

I’m definitely trying again.

______

Something need rethinking in your life?

Maybe it’s…

1. The exercise plan that’s not working?
Then rethink a plan that will work.

2. The job search that keeps hearing “no”?
Then rethink how you’re selling yourself.

3. The dating strategy that keeps catching the wrong person?
Then rethink where you’ve been fishing.

We don’t succeed by repeatedly trying.
We succeed by repeatedly rethinking.

And THEN trying.

Again.

______

Ready to turn “Try, Try, and Fail” into “Try, Try, and Succeed“?

Then rethink it.

Rethink your plan.
Rethink your process.
Rethink your perseverance.

But keep going after it.

Just do it better.

S.

(Audio version)