“Our strength grows out of our weakness” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The only way to avoid making mistakes is to gain experience, and the only way to gain experience is to make mistakes. The circular reasoning of the mystics. Chefs just might call it breaking some eggs to make an omelet.
But what of mistakes in the RV world? Can it be good to fail?
Consider lessons from elementary school. Poor performance means an “F” on a report card. It teaches that you need to study harder next time. Saying the wrong thing in class could mean ridicule. It could also mean you need to listen more carefully before speaking.
Now, consider lessons at the dealership. Managers mention, “Failure is not an option.” Powers preach, “Don’t reinvent the wheel, and don’t give me your excuses”. Negative emotions build. Self-esteem plummets. Confidence and productivity evaporate.
Remember, you will always find failure on the way to success. Edison failed at making a functional light bulb more than 1,000 times.
Great coaches become great coaches by using past player mistakes to refine current player skill. Great coaches encourage players not to fear making mistakes. Coaches watch for mistakes on game film and correct them on the field. Mistakes are our best opportunity to learn. Do you see mistakes that way?
Hoops star Michael Jordan knows the drill. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game- winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s why I succeed.” His message is clear. Don’t be afraid to fail if you want to win.
Physiologists report that muscles grow stronger when they are subjected to stress. Stress causes muscles to feel sore, but champions see the stress not as pain and failure, but as weakness leaving the body. Even a bone becomes stronger after it heals.
Failure can make us stronger if we choose to learn the lessons it teaches.
Anything that can be taken apart can be put back together. Take apart your negative life lessons and build them back with confidence and determination.
Choose to make a personal perspective shift.
Mistakes don’t indicate character flaws but character itself. Comedian Steve Harvey wrote, “Make mistakes. The best teacher is failure. It’s the rudest of awakenings, and the breeding ground for self-determination. Don’t think of them as mistakes – think of them as learning experiences not to be repeated.” How willing are you to make mistakes?
Mistakes highlight areas needing improvement. What can you learn from your failures? What do you want to believe? You can never achieve if fear and worry rule your mind.
RV sales people stumped again and again by the same obstacles have a choice to make. They can become bogged down. Or they can see opportunity. Recurring obstacles shutting you down simply means a tool may be missing from your tool kit. Spend time with a more experienced salesperson or manager. Learn how he or she handles such obstacles. Gain new ideas and fresh perspective. Incorporate a renewed approach to your presentations. Start with the most exciting ideas first. Tweak your skills, and kill your fears.
John F. Kennedy’s summed it all up: “When written in Chinese, the word ‘Crisis’ is comprised of two characters. One character represents danger. The other opportunity.”
When it comes to winning today, which character will you focus on?
Chris Alford is a father, a North Carolina native, and a 30-year veteran public leadership speaker. He is a requested RVDA presenter and conducts high-energy events that grow sales and personal leadership. Chris’ articles have helped thousands of readers improve profitability by ‘Making Success Simple.’ He can be reached at tutvoice1@gmail.com.