How to Win at Failure

Ah, failure. That good old dreadful, heart-sinking moment when your meticulously laid plans crumble into dust. But what if I told you that failure is not the end, but a necessary part of every great success story? Today we're going to explore how some of the most successful people in history turned their spectacular failures into shining successes.

And look, most of these folks were probably crooks and shady in how they got their fortunes. But the principles still apply. Just do yours without becoming a villain.

"Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback."

The Genius Who Failed 1,000 Times

Let’s start with a classic: Thomas Edison. You know, the guy who invented the light bulb? What most people don’t know is that Edison failed about 1,000 times before finally creating a working light bulb. Imagine that! If Edison had given up after failure number 999, we might still be fumbling around in the dark. When asked about his failures, Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Now that’s some next-level optimism.

Colonel Sanders: Fired and Fried

Then there’s Colonel Harland Sanders, the man behind Kentucky Fried Chicken. By age 65, Sanders had been fired from multiple jobs and was running a struggling roadside restaurant. Instead of retiring in defeat, he hit the road with his secret recipe for fried chicken, hoping to franchise it. He was rejected 1,009 times before finally finding a partner willing to give his recipe a try. Today, KFC is a global phenomenon, all because Sanders refused to let failure dictate his destiny.

The Screenwriter Who Couldn’t Sell a Script

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, faced rejection after rejection before a publisher finally agreed to take a chance on her manuscript. She was living on welfare, struggling as a single mother, and had been rejected by 12 publishers. Can you imagine how different the world would be if Rowling had given up? Hogwarts would have remained a figment of her imagination, and we’d all be missing out on a magical world that has enchanted millions.

The Man Who Wasn’t Fit for Hamburgers

And let’s not forget Ray Kroc, the man who made McDonald’s a household name. Before McDonald’s, Kroc was a milkshake machine salesman struggling to make ends meet. When he first pitched the idea of franchising McDonald’s, he faced skepticism and resistance. But Kroc was relentless. His tenacity transformed a small burger joint into one of the most successful fast-food chains in history. Failure? More like a stepping stone.

How to Turn Your Failures into Success

So, what’s the secret sauce that turns failure into fortune? Here are some tips inspired by these legends:

1. Embrace Failure as a Part of Your Journey

• Instead of seeing failure as a dead end, view it as a chance to learn and grow. Edison didn’t see 1,000 failed attempts; he saw 1,000 lessons learned.

2. Never Quit

• Persistence is key. Whether it’s Edison, Sanders, Rowling, or Kroc, none of these icons gave up after their initial failures. Keep pushing forward, no matter how many times you fall.

3. Adapt and Innovate

• People may hear "Never Quit" and hear, stick with what you're doing. You must be willing to adapt your approach and try new things. The path to success is rarely a straight line. Adjust your strategy and innovate until you find what works.

4. Maintain a Positive Attitude

• A positive attitude can make all the difference. Believe in yourself and your vision, even when others don’t. Your mindset will determine your resilience.

5. Seek Feedback and Improve

• Constructive feedback can be invaluable. Don’t shy away from seeking advice and making improvements. Use feedback to refine your ideas and approaches.

A Final Thought

Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you forward. Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback. So, the next time you stumble, laugh at your mistakes, pick yourself up, and march forward with renewed determination. After all, as Edison, Sanders, Rowling, and Kroc have shown us, the road to success is often paved with failures.

Do you have a success story of your own? Know someone who needs to hear one? Tag them in the comments.

Have your own story of bouncing back from failure? I'd love to hear it. Let’s inspire each other to keep pushing forward.

Best,

Kelly Blackmon

Follow me/Subscribe to How to Win at...Everything

kellyb@bebusinessconsulting.com