How do we increase the square footage ofour confidence arena?We all build confidence by trying andsucceeding. It sounds so simple; but the fact is, that when we take risks, thepossibility of failure is real – and in some situations can be devastating. The new-age wisdom is that we should betotally okay with failure – in fact, we should embrace it. The logic being thatwe learn by trying, failing, trying again, failing again – until we get itright. I agree that this is true – but I also, on some deeper level, I feelthat in order to enjoy above-average success in life, we need to set ourselvesup in such a way as to minimize the ‘failure experience’ – or at least the negative effects of it.
Success breeds success. Failure is okay asa learning experience but you don’t want to keep failing forever. When we aresuccessful with some venture; when it works out the way we planned it to workout (or better), we are likely to do it again, and again. Most times, athoughtful, considered and well-planned approach can maximize our chances ofsuccess.Sure, start off (when the stakes are small)with risk-taking and experimenting – but when the stakes are higher (eg: whenthings like your life savings, your marriage or your own life are on the line –consider carefully – plan – seek advice, etc)
We are the architects of our own lives – weneed to start out with lots of sketching, erasing, trial and error – but astime goes by we should become clearer and clearer on what we want and how weare going to go about making that happen with the least amount of mistakes andthe least amount of pain. Good coaching is about setting people up for success …and at the end of the day; we are each our own coach …. JBW
How do we increase the square footage ofour confidence arena?We all build confidence by trying andsucceeding. It sounds so simple; but the fact is, that when we take risks, thepossibility of failure is real – and in some situations can be devastating. The new-age wisdom is that we should betotally okay with failure – in fact, we should embrace it. The logic being thatwe learn by trying, failing, trying again, failing again – until we get itright. I agree that this is true – but I also, on some deeper level, I feelthat in order to enjoy above-average success in life, we need to set ourselvesup in such a way as to minimize the ‘failure experience’ – or at least the negative effects of it.
Success breeds success. Failure is okay asa learning experience but you don’t want to keep failing forever. When we aresuccessful with some venture; when it works out the way we planned it to workout (or better), we are likely to do it again, and again. Most times, athoughtful, considered and well-planned approach can maximize our chances ofsuccess.Sure, start off (when the stakes are small)with risk-taking and experimenting – but when the stakes are higher (eg: whenthings like your life savings, your marriage or your own life are on the line –consider carefully – plan – seek advice, etc)
We are the architects of our own lives – weneed to start out with lots of sketching, erasing, trial and error – but astime goes by we should become clearer and clearer on what we want and how weare going to go about making that happen with the least amount of mistakes andthe least amount of pain. Good coaching is about setting people up for success …and at the end of the day; we are each our own coach …. JBW
