Every profession in the world has its own failure rate. Yet, as I often relate in my new home sales seminars, the sales profession is the only one where the normal rate of failure can be as high as 80 to 90 percent. The difference between failure and success is perception. Your perception will always be your reality. Therefore, do not perceive failure as anything other than a necessary learning experience that must occur in order to achieve success.
Consider the failures in this life story:
Failed in business: Age 22
Defeated in race for legislature: Age 23
Again failed in business: Age 24
Sweetheart died: Age 26
Had a nervous breakdown: Age 27
Defeated for Speaker: Age 29
Defeated for Elector: Age 31
Defeated for Congress: Age 34
Elected to Congress: Age 37
Defeated for Congress: Age 39
Defeated for Senate: Age 46
Defeated for Vice President: Age 47
Defeated for Senate: Age 49
The man, of course, was Abraham Lincoln. He is a testament that success is failure turned inside out. It is critical to understand that, as you attempt greatness, you will risk and encounter failure. However, failure is not your enemy. That’s a byproduct of achievement. Complacency and fear are your true enemies. "My great concern," said Lincoln, "is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
