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I Fail, That is Why I Succeed

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine when he threw in one of the best sentences I have heard in a long time. He said, "Worrying is for victims." That sentence was very relevant to our conversation and I have been thinking about it a lot ever since.
He meant, from a business standpoint, if you are put in a position where you don't feel comfortable and then lay down and accept defeat, you are a victim. In my experience, people that are victims are usually victims in many different situations; it is a cycle that continues over and over. People that allow themselves to be victims have a laundry list of excuses and they never want the ball when the game is on the line because they think about losing the game when the ball is in their hands. They would rather sit on the sidelines and let someone else take the heat, for better or for worse, win or lose.

Alternatively, if you are put in a position and you choose to step up and face it head-on, then even if you lose, you shouldn't worry. You still gave it a fight. You did the best that you knew how to. You could have won, but just didn't this time. You'll win next time, or come closer to winning by learning from this last experience. I'm sure that's what the Orlando Magic is telling themselves. There should be no regrets about what you tried to do because you wanted the ball - you asked for it when the game was on the line, and no matter what, win or lose, you were going to make something happen. You were going to give it everything you had.

It makes me think of a Michael Jordan poster that my friend had in college. It had a great message. It said "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

So, the economy is starting to come back now...kind of, but unemployment is at almost 10% the last time I checked. Banks aren't giving home loans unless buyers can put down 20-40% these days. Businesses aren't spending money because nobody has the budget. It will get better - stick in there. Don't worry - you are doing everything that you can. Don't be a victim - let somebody else play that role. Be better because of this, be smarter because of this, be STRONGER because of this.

In my mind, we are in the fourth quarter of the game and there is still some time left on the clock...I want the ball.

(Picture courtesy of nbainsidestuff)