Failure is often the predecessor to success. And learning how not to fail can come from failure. Just because some parts (or all) of your past ventures have failed doesn’t mean that you can’t succeed. In fact, failure can lead to essential knowledge — and as a result — more potential for success.
You CAN succeed!
When I first came online in 1996 I knew almost instantly that I would make my living online — one way or another! But it wasn’t until 2001 that I saw that start to become a reality. And in 2002 I was working full time online with my own business (web development) and raking in more money than I ever had before.
Yes, that was a six year trial-and-error-wait for success. Looking back I can see where I went wrong. I wasn’t consistent in my efforts. I didn’t stick it out and keep at it continually. I was nearly completely offline for more than two of those years. Plus I was working a regular-real-world-more-than-full-time-job the whole time.
It’s about stickability!
YOUR ability to stick with it. I firmly believe that if I had stuck with it I would have made it much, much sooner.
However, the experience I gained through my failures was phenomenal. By the time the “world” got to know me as a web developer I had ANSWERS they were looking for – how not to fail. I could help others avoid the pitfalls and obstacles that I pulled through. I knew online business inside and out.
Oh, the tears, the yells of frustration, the pulling my hair out and kicking the wall under my desk! There were some horrible times in the beginning. But I stuck through it. I was learning how not to fail. I continually learned and honed my craft. I experimented and tweaked and pushed through barriers. I did it the hard way, too. All by myself.
How Not To Fail So Much
If I were to do it all over again, I would not go it alone! I would build a team or network, or at least align myself with a group of complementary entrepreneurs. Having a support group, mastermind group or circle of like-minded entrepreneurs is a solid start on the “how not to fail” front.
And today, that’s my advice to you.
Do you have people that you can turn to for advice, encouragement, and constructive criticism? Or are you going it alone like I did?
How’s that going for you? How can I help?
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Twitter: dawnraschell
says:
I know I need to develop more stickability. I go at it like gangbusters and then drop out time and time again. I had things going pretty well for quite a while then when things slowed down a bit I didn’t do anything about it.
Thanks for reminding me that it’s still possible to grow my online business and sustain it! I think if I had a team or circle of people to hold me accountable and cheer me on or kick my butt into gear as needed, I’d do better!
Great advice!
Dawn RaSchell recently posted..What Can You Learn From an Infomercial?
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Obviously I used to have the same problem! So we have that in common. However, since my business has now been successful for ten years, I can definitely say “stickability” works!
Wishing you great success, dear. I hope you “stick” around here for a long time. I enjoy the fact that you are so open and share with us. Thanks for adding to the conversation, and let me know how I can help!
Hey Deb,
Your ability to stick with it is definitely how you learn from failures and make a success out of yourself. I also agree with your point that building a team will help you tremendously in avoiding failure.
However, developing a solid mastermind group can take time so it’s best to be prepared for the tough learning curve and keep learning and growing from your mistakes. Thanks for sharing.
Melony recently posted..A Natural Cure for Yeast Infection – Home Remedies To Stop The Overgrowth of Candida Albicans
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Great points, Melony. Finding and/or developing the right mastermind team is harder than you might think!
Hi Deb,
stickability is very important and by improving this personal quality we can also improve our success rate and it is a good way not to fail.
Pete Goumas recently posted..WestMarine Review – Coupon
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Indeed! If I hadn’t stuck it out the last time I wouldn’t be where I am today. Persistence pays.
When you start your business first time, you always need some inspiration and confidence to carry on you work unless you see some result.
You may go wrong but there would be someone more experienced than you to tell that you’re doing it wrong boss!!!
It means you have to find a mentor for yourself, to whom you can ask your query and ask different way to perform something.
I would suggest to build a relationship first with an experienced person in your niche before staring your business as it’ll take less time to get result, you already got someone who can help you out.
Aaron recently posted..Goa Carnival 2012
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Hi Aaron,
Building a relationship first with an experienced person in your niche beforehand is great advice.
Thanks for sharing that!
Hi Deb,
Nice tutorial.Building a team or network is a good process on how not to fail and we should keep in mind this point for a successful start.
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Nobody who has become successful was able to do it alone. All of us are going to need help, alliances, team members, partners, etc. This is how the world works, how life works.
From my experience, success comes after a failure. I failed once in my business but it was the one that empowers me to stand up and be strong.
Greg
Webmaster of Big Dog Formula Review
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Just like you, when I discovered the whole online business thing, I knew instantly it was going to be my future and vocation. Sure enough, 3 years later, I was able to go full time and now earn a good living online and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. My first year I dabbled sporadically. My second year I started a couple of blogs in earnest. My third year are increased my online income by 10 times … enough to go full time.
Once I figured out what I was doing, it only took 6 months to go from a few hundred a month to 5 figures per month. Had I quit during the early years when I was clueless, I’d still be at a 9 to 5.
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I think “failing” is unavoidable, especially for people who really want to make something out of themselves. It’s a huge part of success, and whether we like it or not, it contributes the most to our growth as a person in our profession and as a human being. They always say that experience is the best teacher and they are right, because failing makes us appreciate what we attain in the future. It’s so much better.
The problem with failure is that so many people give up before they even reach success. Read into so many well known people such as Steve Jobs, etc and they will even admit that they have had failures in their life. If they gave up on that one project and never went back to anything, what would have happened?!?