Ever feel like you take one step forward and three steps back? Recently, I shared my personal story of turning failure into success. Now, I share how a change in attitude maintained my momentum in this next personal story.
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article called “4 Steps to Turn Failure into Victory” which launched me into my next phase in this journey. To continue to be victorious, it takes a change in attitude. I’ll share my next adventure -keeping the momentum going. This year for the second time, I went to Gulf Shores, AL with a group of friends. I am the youngest of the group by ten to twenty years yet they all walked to ‘the pier’ and back last year. I did not. I did not plan to do it this year either but here’s what happened.
Support of Others
Within the first two days, a couple of them made it to the pier and back, a 6.4-mile jaunt. As one lady continued to encourage me, my attitude began to change and so did the desire to do it. A flame was lit and with her help it keep glowing.
The Challenge
On the fourth day, they were headed off to the pier for their morning walk. I heard one lady ahead say, “Jean will turn around and go back.” At that moment, I was determined to get to the pier and back. Although she did not know I heard her, I felt the determination bubbling up inside. That day, I made it to the pier and back. A 6.4-mile walk in the sand!
The Feeling of Victory
As with the bike story (4 Steps to Turn Failure to Victory), the feeling of success was contagious. I wanted to go farther and try new things more than I ever had before. I decided the next time I was giving an opportunity in work or life, I could do it. That’s the feeling success gives you.
Remind Yourself of the Successes
They took a picture of me so I could remember my success. I look at that picture and think about what I can do if I get past my fears.
If We Don’t Try, We Cannot Succeed
Carry your new victories into your work. Last week I took on two new jobs. I felt confident I could do them which came from the successes I’d had recently. I helped one person write a proposal to bid on a job. He had to fight for the chance to submit request. Encouraging him to complete the process and not give up was the most important part of the process (just like the friend encouraging me).
Don’t Be Afraid to be Genuine
The other job was helping a new business identify the barriers preventing them from succeeding and developing a new strategy in marketing their non-profit business. They focused on the competition instead of why they started something different in the first place. No one could offer the love and family approach they could making their business unique.
Being genuine is part of why we started our career or business in the first place. Don’t let the why get lost in the other aspects of business such as promotion, profits, stakeholders, competition, etc.
Be yourself in life and in business!
Jean
Jean Brownlie is an independent contractor, consultant and trainer for WorkerSmarts LLC. Contact Jean at [email protected] to learn how she can help you move from failure to victory.
Passionate about a building an environment where people are valued and enjoy coming to work.
