Failure Can Lead to Success

Failure really can lead to success.   Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, knows this all too well.  I recently listened to a story broadcasted on the NPR network.  During this segment, Jeff explained how he originally set out to be a cartoonist.  He was rejected time and time again as his artwork was considered too childish.

As stated in NPR’s interview with Jeff Kinney, “I just could not draw like a professional cartoonist,” he says. “I was like, ‘I draw like a middle-schooler, right?’ And eventually this idea came to me … maybe if I act like I’m doing it on purpose, everybody will think that I was doing it on purpose, and they won’t be able to reject me … that’s where the idea of Diary of a Wimpy Kid came from.”

Just think what would have happened if Jeff would have simply accepted rejection and walked away?  His book series has become a HUGE success.  He has published 6 books, and a seventh is on the way. The books have been translated into 40 languages and there are 75 million copies in print worldwide.

Jeff did what so many of us have failed to do…he took difficulties and a could be failure and found a way to make it a success.  He would not take” no” for an answer.  Instead, he found a way to use criticism of his work and mold a masterpiece.  Sometimes things don’t end up as we intend.  However, if we strive to find the positive in our obstacles, success can be attained.

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Do You Have a Problem or a Possibility??

Ask yourself this question – Are you in a problem or possibility mode right now?  If you begin to talk about the possibilities in your life, you will see a big change in the way you look at things, and the outcome will differ greatly.  The quality of our life is as good as the quality of questions we ask ourselves.

Think of your moods and emotions like a water faucet.  When we are focused on our problems, the water pours out.  The more we dwell on our problems, the more stress, fatigue and anxiety we feel.  It’s like turning on the “problem faucet” full blast.

When we shift our focus to thinking about the possibilities in our lives, we turn on the “possibility faucet”.  This is a trickle of water that can create excitement, optimism and new ideas.

The questions becomes, which faucet have you turned on – the “problem faucet” or the “possibility faucet”?  Is your faucet running full blast or it is trickling?

When we can stay focused on possibility – it becomes reality.  That is when true magic begins to occur in our lives!

Have a Magical Day!!

A Positive Attitude Goes a Long Way

Every wonder how some people seem to come out ahead, no matter what obstacles stand in their way?   Or maybe these people don’t see the things in front of them as obstacles.

As Henry Ford once said: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” 

Staying positive and believing in yourself and others around you, sparks confidence, poise and assertion.  The power of positive thinking is what makes those obstacles disappear. 

A person’s perspective can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of their success or failure.  A person who constantly finds fault in matters, rather than finding a way to fix things may find success harder to achieve.   “Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain”  –  Henry Ford

Find a way to act “as if”:

“As if”:

• I will be optimistic
• I will be confident
• I will make the right decisions
• I will succeed

If you believe it, you will achieve it. 

You are in charge of your future – and your perspective on life.  Make the best of it and stay positive!