MARCH 5 2014: THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IS BEING WILLING TO FAIL—AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN—AND GETTING BACK UP EVERY TIME. AND NO, IT IS NOT EASY. IT IS MERELY NECESSARY.

“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Steve Jobs

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I have written before that writers live in a state of permanent failure—both because financial success is comparatively rare—and because you rarely write quite as well as you want to.

If you do, you raise the bar. The challenge is the thing—and writing itself is just plain wonderful. In essence I am saying that failure in writing is arguably a more enjoyable way of life—at least for some of us—than success in another field. And money is not how we measure success (though we need it as much as anyone else).

What counts, above all, is the writing—the extraordinary process of converting thought into words in a manner that will win over the reader.

Does it hook?

Does it flow?

Is it clear?

Does it entertain?

Does it touch?

Is it compelling?

Does it offer surprise?

Does it illuminate the human condition?

Does it amuse?

Are my written words consistent with what I am really trying to say—or has something been lost in the transition from mind to written word?

It was in this spirit that I encountered a short but highly relevant article by CATHERINE CLIFFORD in Entrepreneur Magazine

Even the most successful people have failed at some point or another. Actually, scratch that -- especially the most successful people have failed at some point or another. (And probably a whole lot more than you might imagine.)

The biggest difference between successful people and less accomplished individuals is that successful people don’t let being rejected keep them down. Successful entrepreneurs have the emotional tools to manage disappointment and not let it derail them for too long; they’re resilient and determined. 

Rejected: Entrepreneurs: Your Irrational Optimism Is Necessary

Alex Fauske, The Doodle Video Guy, put together this animation illustrating the surprising records of failure for some folks who are now pretty legendary success stories with data from San Francisco-based startup organization Funders and Founders. Teaser: Sylvester Stallone was rejected 1,500 times when he tried selling his script, with himself as the lead actor, for the now legendary movie Rocky.

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WHAT MY READERS THINK

As a woman I would have thought it would have
been "not my cup of tea" however I found myself thoroughly enthralled and did not want to leave it
down until I had it finished. I also found your research tapes incredible.
After finding your site I am now going to try and get a copy of your books and re-read Games of the
Hangman and hopefully get a chance to read the others too. I am amazed like your other readers that
you are not more prominent, especially here in Ireland.
Keep up the great work

Imelda Masterson

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