How often do you fail?

by Iriss
50 replies
Everyone is talking about success, how they made an X amount of money in an X amount of time. But how often did they fail before they got to that point?

My rate of failure is about once per week. I can't get ideas I envision done, and in 1 week I give up, and start a new idea, at which I will fail.

The process repeats itself again and again. But I learn something new each time.

How about you? How often do you fail?
#fail
  • Profile picture of the author TheTruth2011
    More than you can imagine lol .... the point is to just go through the motions anyway and in the end you know you will get there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5268349].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author russkampmann
    If I learn something from my 'failures', then I have not failed at all.

    Wasn't it Edison who said "I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward".
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5268790].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MMateo23
      Originally Posted by russkampmann View Post

      If I learn something from my 'failures', then I have not failed at all.

      Wasn't it Edison who said "I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward".

      I agree with you and Edison. I think when he was asked about his 999 failures and his one success, he said (and I paraphrase here), I did not fail, I just discovered 999 ways not to make a lightbulb.

      I don't want to sound cliche, but everybody fails. However, you only really fail when you don't try. So keep trying and you won't fail. I think someone in this thread said that they do not fail if they learn from their "failure." I agree.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5421536].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JeremiahSay
    I've failed more than 10 times in Internet Marketing. Today I still continue to fail )

    That's how human are design to learn - It's by failing and learning from it!

    We can't walk unless we fall! The same theories apply to learning to ride a bicycle.

    Successful people are not afraid of failing - just make sure you learn from your mistake

    God Bless,
    Jeremiah
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5269481].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author webworm
    I was failure initially.But i learn many thing from that i am now little bit successful in my life and work.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5269514].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dougb
    I fail all the time, it's usually only a setback though. Get up dust yourself off, make a note that didn't turn out so well, move forward and find a better way. Be driven and stubborn until you succeed.
    Signature

    Learn IM for Free. Gain access to Information,Audio and Video Tutorials, Downloads and More
    The Newbie Marketing Center
    Follow my trek as I log the ups and downs of my marketing business.
    My Marketing Trek

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5269882].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JoeUK
      I suppose it depends on your definition of 'failure'. I technically fail everyday be making small mistakes at little things I'm unfamiliar with or have never tried before. As long as you learn from them and try not to make them again they should be welcomed as a way to progress!
      Signature
      Popular MoRoN.com - Because Everything Popular Is Wrong...

      Uplifd.com - Positive News, Uplifting Views & Inspirational Tidbits!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5270263].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Louielou
        I agree. It depends on what you call a failure. I don't think you're a failure if you make a mistake. It sounds quite dramatic! In the past I have 'failed' to work out how this industry works. I'm not naturally technically minded and would try this and that, but I would decided that it was too hard. From my failures I have learned to find help from someone who knows. As long as you learn from it.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276728].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author paul_1
          Failure is some way helping me---because every time I fail, I get highly motivated. So, when we fail...we take it as a challenge and we should always know how to stand up every time we fall.
          Signature
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author maile15
    Thats funny, you should stop count your mistakes but more your success!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276817].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author shawnAX
      Originally Posted by maile15 View Post

      Thats funny, you should stop count your mistakes but more your success!
      Life is all about experiences
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276891].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author YourProfessional
    One fails forward toward success. ~Charles F. Kettering


    I've failed many times, in many different aspects of my life, but I always push forward - and it's paid off.

    If you fail, make sure you learn from your mistakes, that's the most important thing.
    Signature
    Honest, No-BS Reviews Of WSOs...
    I test products... before I give my final review.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276923].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Yara
    I failed many many times. Sometimes I'm not even sure if I had failed or not. gah.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5276938].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ProScribe
    Probably not as much as I should. I do think failing quickly and often is the road to success. Which may suggest I need to push things a little more.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5280200].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DoubleD3
    According to me there is nothing called as Failure..
    Just remember, "Everything is difficult before it is easy"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5280324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lucasannois
    It doesn't matter how many times you fail, what is important is you learned your lessons.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5289742].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ikmal Syifai
    Once a week? Maybe more. :p
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5289871].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author barbling
    All the time! But wow the lessons I learn.....

    Priceless.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5290494].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JoeDRL
    Often!
    "There is no such thing as a mistake but to not learn the lesson".

    It's easy to say, but when you face a defeat, it's hard!
    I try to see long-term instead of short term. That makes me think these are temporary defeats and not failures.

    Be happy, be successful,
    ~ JoeDRL
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5291631].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author emilydesozamy
    Only once in life but would never forget those moments.I learn more from that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5292066].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    At least once a week. And thats good, it proves we are always testing new things.
    Signature
    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5292090].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AngieDixon
    Lately, my answer is, "Not often enough, because I'm not doing enough."
    Signature

    Angie Dixon--Designer, Writer
    Creative Director
    Evil Guinea Pig Productions
    http://www.EvilGuineaPigProductions.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5292673].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ezmystic
      I have had some spectacular failures and some spectacular wins, the key is I'm better off after all is said and done, AND I've made sure that I've learned from those mistakes so as never to repeat them. I's easy to say, but if you've messed up big time, try and put a positive head on it and think WHY you messed up so at least you can take that experience and never repeat, but you do need to actually look at why you failed.

      Failure is a part of life, we learn to walk by failing ie we keep falling over (failing) until we don't anymore so never be scared of failing and success is more likely to come your way.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5293438].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author OO
    If you don't fail often you don't try often enought.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5293590].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author D Alishouse
    I fail all of the time. I have found it is the best way for me to learn, truly learn something. Also when you fail a lot it becomes less frightening. You actually gain a lot of confidence when you've failed more then a few times and know that failure doesn't kill you. It barely slows you down if you don't let it.

    Failure only happens when you try. And trying is the only way you'll ever accomplish anything of consequence in life.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5293680].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author taylatrefl
    The more you fail, the more you succeed if only you will consider each failure as a lesson.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5360721].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Those who don't succeed are those who are so obsessed with success that they can't risk or manage failure. Failure and success don't point in opposite directions, you meet both on the road to happiness and accomplishment. If you risk no failure, you meet neither and you gain nothing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5396692].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author creaver1
    I did not see a good definition of failure here, which makes the answers less clear. A good way is to define failure as the relationship between a target and a result. For example, if I want to jump 10ft, but only get 9ft, I just failed.
    For me, because I set ambitious targets I fail all the time, but it makes me strive harder and therefore my successes are greater. The main thing is to set goals in such a way that when you miss, you don't get killed.

    JimN

    --------
    Ask me about Power Partnering
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5401540].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author danlew
    I've experience failures many times in my career for so many years, but I told myself that I should keep going to my success. Right now, I'm delighted to become a successful IMer because of overcoming those failures that I've experienced.

    No one is perfect, but we can correct them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5402388].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seogame
    Failing is a part of life.. We learn a lot when we fall apart.. But you need to make sure that each time to fail, it should motivate you to stand show the world, that you are some one really strong.. I always believe that falling down is not failure.. Staying down is failure
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5403193].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hireava
    I can't count how many times i failed but even though that happens a lot, I make sure to it that I still try and try to do something for me to succeed. It never hinders me from doing other things but it motivates me more to do better.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5404500].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author watson229
    Failing is really a step towards success. I usually fail once in a week.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5417413].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author andreaskam
    That's an excellent question! A great way to keep you in check when something isn't working out as you'd planned!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5418024].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author generitek
    "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field."

    Niels Bohr
    Danish physicist (1885 - 1962)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5418323].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vernita
    success is moving one step forward two step back, then 1 forward two back and never losing the hope, it holds true as the failures are more then successes, but if you take them as learning steps then they are not really failures...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5425588].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Simon Nugam
      I love this thread, thank you all for contributing to it.

      Hearing others share about their "failure-stories" and -experiences, gives me acceptance for myself when feeling down.

      When looking back 15 years ago when I started off with internet marketing and the few sites I've had back then I slowly developed... I made some mistakes, many mistakes. But over the past couple of years I make more and more mistakes.

      To me, it seems that the process of making mistakes is continuously being accelerated. The last year I made so many "mistakes", I can hardly believe it. But this also means, as Weston H. Agor says "learning faster".

      "Making mistakes simply means you are learning faster."
      - Weston H. Agor


      Some of the things that support me when I think I have failed or made a mistake, are:
      1. Acknowledging that I have made a mistake to myself (and maybe additionally a trusted person)
      2. Feeling the disappointment or whatever feelings are accompanied by that thought
      3. Becoming aware of what it is I am missing, what is lacking, what I am yearning for, what I wished I had done differently and why.
      4. Having the intention to, and doing it differently the next time, when being in a similar situation, facing a similar challenge.

      "When you must fail, fail noisily and as soon as possible."
      --Rule 12, Art of Unix Basics of the Unix Philosophy


      And all of us have heard the quote many times before, that it is not about how many times we have fallen down, but how many times we have gotten up, that matters...


      Simon
      Signature

      “An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field.” - Niels Bohr

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5425878].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ZumbaKassel
    Yes I know what you mean, I'm failing way to much..but this is live and without falling you will not come to the next step!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5431508].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author paul_1
    I've lost count... Fortunately, I've not given up yet... Must be the motivational tapes and readings I did...
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5431650].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DeltaForce
    I did say the ratio between success and failure is 1:2, where for each success I did go back 2 steps then forward one...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5440786].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author januzcans
    I failed many times but I just consider them as stepping stone to success. I don't know with other people here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5440793].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author webboty
    Failure is a need in order to succeed!

    Besides of that are you going to enjoy success much more as you can then value ur success much more.

    Everyone fails at the beginning. I do not know anyone who had immediate sucess - except the ones that just give the money and let their whole business run but all kinds of experts. And even then it is not sure if they succeed.

    Also - read about how many times Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg failed before they had their breakthrough. You will be amazed. ;-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5440836].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sandy christine1
    Almost every time , but every time I fail, I get highly motivated.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5440901].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sandy christine1
    Almost every time. But i learn a lot when i fall apart.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5441557].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Code Weaver
    The chances are you are going to fail a lot more than you are going to succeed. So embrace your failures as stepping stones by learning from them and cherish your victories with ur loved ones....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5553832].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    I haven't failed yet. For me fail means the end of the project without success. If I am able to change the situation and succeed before the end then I haven't failed.
    Signature

    >>>Get your websites ACTUALLY ranked by checking these out: Quantum SEO Labs, Home Page Link Building & SERP Ability. Want to get rid of negative listings? Check out Reputation Enhancer.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5554318].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mrelk159
    I have failed many times on my internet marketing attempts but as long as you keep going and find new solutions to problems you will do well.

    It’s not how many times you fall down but how many times you get back up.
    -Confucius
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5558044].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Justin Says
    I don't aim for failure, nor do I try to look at it in a bad light.

    Some people say to "fail yourself forward", I think that's crap.

    Aim for success, tell yourself that you're going to be successful and you'll more than likely get there if you take the right action.

    I fail at something every single day.

    I trip.

    I forget to respond to an email.

    I spill things.

    I eat something I shouldn't.

    I do something I said I wouldn't.

    But.. as a human. This is apart of existence.

    If you did everything right, you wouldn't really know when you did something right

    Don't aim for failure. Aim for success and focus on the success's.
    Signature

    My name is Justin Lewis. My digital marketing company has been in business for over 10 years with multiple six-figure years. We do provide a premium web design service.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5560586].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tedw
      Originally Posted by Justin Lewis View Post

      I don't aim for failure, nor do I try to look at it in a bad light.

      Some people say to "fail yourself forward", I think that's crap.

      Aim for success, tell yourself that you're going to be successful and you'll more than likely get there if you take the right action.

      I fail at something every single day.

      I trip.

      I forget to respond to an email.

      I spill things.

      I eat something I shouldn't.

      I do something I said I wouldn't.

      But.. as a human. This is apart of existence.

      If you did everything right, you wouldn't really know when you did something right

      Don't aim for failure. Aim for success and focus on the success's.
      I agree Justin. A more important question might be how often do you fail without goals? I'd rather fail every day with goals in mind than not have them at all!!

      And if I don't reach my goal today then I'm going to work out the next step to get me closer tomorrow!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5563153].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rmolina88
    It's hard to say if I've actually failed or not. I remember the first 2 weeks of doing IM, I wanted to give up because I wasn't earning anything. However, my "Shiny Object Syndrome" brought me back to it again and I've been dedicated ever since.

    2 years ago, I spent over $600+ on various WSOs, outsourcing, etc, and got traffic, but never any sales. I kinda felt like I failed in that aspect, but I really did learn a lot from it.

    So I probably haven't truly failed yet. I'll only fail if I give up on it for good.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5560615].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Fatality
    I fail too much for my liking

    I fail around once every two weeks, whether its not taking action or just not getting what I envision done, like you said.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5562636].message }}

Trending Topics