How do you deal with failure? This weeks podcast is with Scott Sandage author of Born Losers- A History of Failure in America. Failure is common in all of our careers, it is inherent with taking risk in our lives. Scottâs book describes in an interesting way how failure has come to be viewed in our society. The ideas for the book came when Scott was in the book store and noticed how much has been written about success and how little has been written about failure. An example of failure is Ken Jennings who took a smart risk and became a contestant on the game shoe Jeopardy (with Canadian Alex Trebek) After 2700 correct answers, or rather questions, he incorrectly answered a question â he failed. Now we all know who has 40,000 workers that work 4 months per year (FedEX was what Ken answered, H&R Block was the correct answer). Like all normal human beings he eventually failed. Still Ken went home with over $2.5 million. Ken was asked what he was going to take away from this experience and he answered, "during my life, I think I made a lot of safe and practical choices, I never took a chance or did something that for me would be a dream...being on Jeopardy has been that dream. You are much happier when you go for that long shot and play to your strengths instead of always doing the safe easy thing, I am grateful to this experience, if nothing else, for having taught me that". This week what smart risk could you take? sit back relax and learn- 37 minutes
Your career is the greatest investment you can make in yourself. When you are happy in your job, you see positive results in everything around you, from finances to relationships to personal health. So why stay stuck in the current situation if it doesn't completely suit who you are inside? Get started
I liked that there was never the feeling that you were just another client who would complete the program and be gone. Rather, I was made to feel that we were building a professional relationship that would extend beyond the completion of the program.
Easy to use to identify your key strengths and find the right career for you!
What failure teaches us
I used to just blow off failure as part of life. Then I took the family on my walk and built a Dream. It was great! We opened a new business on Sept. 8 2001, and put allot of ourselves into getting it up and running. From Sept 11th on, it has been a run, lot's of hard work and not enough time to take a breath. That cost us more than anything else. It seemed each down turn of the market, sent shivers through the business, but we pulled forward. Health issues arose taking one of the partners down, physically and mentally. The place went up for sale and 3 years of waiting for a buyer. One walks through the door, serious, has backers, but wanted their own business, we closed ours down. Suddenly realize these folks were taking us into bankruptcy and it was too late to the stem the outcome. This failure has been the first one that has taken a tremdous toll. Self doubt, self esteem.. actually belief and trust are the biggest issues. Sure, there is the lawsuit, but that's the long wait game. Mean while, the failure has been talked out, and what's left is still a lack of trust and belief in anyone. So many people have helped us out and we've worked our way helping them in return. It's changed our outlook, changed our approach, we still help people in need, and realize we are just starting over. Starting at a point we have been at before only lack for money and health. We often reflect back over the last 4-years, understand the pressure points and have the strong desire and drive to move on. Just feel so many times, we're knocking on the wrong doors. It's really a wierd place to be when you're now in your 60's..