I will not belabor the psychological adage which suggests we learn more from our mistakes than our successes, but I will share with you an in-time, real-life experience of a client (with permission). This client knew action needed to be taken regarding their current position. They wrote telling me they had learned a lot and I of course asked “what did you learn?” What follows is an example of the Don’t Die adage ‘experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want’:
I learned so much…
Avoid the “race to the bottom”
Never work just for a paycheck
Running after any project just to get it; pricing in a way that makes it impossible to make a profit.
Failing to invest and plan in the future by not planning.
Not being willing to share in the future of an idea with your partners/clients (i.e., accepting royalties and incentives as part of a deal) just so you can make money fast.
Focusing only on the money and not on your dreams.
Clinging on to a failing business and not knowing when to walk away.
Being a “command and control” owner who does not allow his “team” to surpass him.
It is a persons character, respect for others, ability to listen to others and embrace new ideas that lead to success.
Sometimes you have to go through hell to know what heaven looks like.
And, here was the scariest thing. I saw a 73 year old who had alienated almost everyone in their life: spouse, children, clients and employees. This person did not understand why. That is beyond poor self-awareness. That is arrogance and an inability to learn. It was scary because I saw it as a warning signpost: DANGER!! AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
My response to all this? Sometimes we get paid in ways money could never measure. And in this case, the author of this list did get paid to learn these lessons.
Dr. Success Challenge: Make a list of your supposed “bad” experiences. What did you learn?
Happy Learning, Happy Living…you bring the Happy to your life by learning as you live. Thank you, Andrea
