Intro and Conclusion
Doubling your failure rate... Do you have what it takes?
Look, there's no magic to success, even though the billion dollar self-help industry would like to make you think so...
Setting confabulation aside, take a second and think about it as cold-bloodedly as possible.
What are your chances to succeed at (...fill in with your desired goal...) from your first attempt? What about the second? Or the third? Or the fourth attempt?
Well, the thing is, most of us never get to try more than a very few couple of times...
Since it usually takes countless attempts to reach a goal, very few of people can show-off their achievements.
I don't say that there are not outside (of you) factors to contribute to success. What I'm saying is that it's mostly up to you and how hard you're willing to try.
You don't need to read further because I just gave you my entire point about it. But if you do, here's what I mean by strategic...
As one, two, three
Let's get ourselves into the proper mental attitude first. I'll regurgitate something I wrote in the past:
"Success is simply achieving your goals.
To achieve your goals, you first need to set them.
Once you have clearly established your goals, you start following them.
Failure appears in one form or another. (This is where most people quit)
If you overcome this first failure and keep moving, then you are on the right track.
Another failure gets in your way. (This is where most of the remaining give up).
Third attempt, third failure? Move on...
Fighting failure and learning from your past experiences will put you back on track.
Now you have the appropriate mindset to succeed.
Other set-backs that may get in your way will simply fade away as they appear. You're prepared.
Now you are in the top 5% of the most successful people in the world.
It is only a matter of time until you achieve your goal."
What are then, some steps that we could illustrate from this?
1. Clarify your goals. Make them extremely specific.
Don't say: "I wanna get rich". Say: "I want to obtain this X amount of money by August 31, 2016."
It should create a sense of urgency and help you start working on your clear goal.
2. When (not if) you experience failure, detach yourself! Get positive insight from it.
Most of us receive 'failure' with a negative mindset. We see it as something bad. If we're still alive, then we shouldn't do that. When you experience failure, do not let yourself into negative emotions, or any kind of emotion. Get out of your way. Detach yourself. See the good you can get from your failed attempt and try not repeating the same mistakes in your next attempt(s). Otherwise, you're a fool...(sorry!)
Failure adds up to your experience, it may enhance your drive toward achievement. And it can even (should even) increase your self confidence.
3. Follow your plan (but be willing to modify/adapt it) as you move toward your goals.
Never stop. Once you fail, swallow it! Take the good. Try again. Try better. Don't stop.
Most often you'll have to change your approach. Don't stick to rigid plans, you'll fail indefinitely. Be fluid. Thanks Bruce Lee! Remember, the only constant should be your goal, not your plan.
If I were to put everything in one word, I'd choose: consistency. Why? Let me give you an example.
Many people lose weight, with whatever imaginable diet and workout plan that's out there. But most are not able to stave off weight gain... Thus, they fall of the proverbial wagon. This is an example of a lack of consistency, and by a short stretch, a lack of persistence. The very few who remain at their desired weight indefinitely are masters of consistency. Enough!
I'll leave you with one quote from the self-help (often fad, but helpful to many) realm. It's from Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill:
“Before success comes in any man’s life, he’s sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of men do.”
Cristi Vlad, Self-Experimenter and Author