How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling Ch 33

Overcoming Fear of Failure

• Babe Ruth, despite striking out 1,330 times, became baseball's greatest slugger. He embraced failures as learning opportunities, attributing his success to consistent effort.

• Ruth's philosophy: Maintain a positive attitude towards setbacks, viewing them as part of the process toward eventual success. He understood the law of averages.

Importance of Effort and Risk

• Ty Cobb's record-setting 96 stolen bases in 1915 demonstrates the difference between successful effort and risk, even when compared to Max Carey. Cobb made many more attempts, resulting in a higher overall gain despite a lower success percentage.

• Cobb's success is contrasted with Carey’s better percentage but fewer attempts which shows the value of consistently trying.

Failure as a Stepping Stone

• Abraham Lincoln's numerous political defeats and personal setbacks highlight perseverance as a key factor in eventual greatness.

• The example of an ex-salesman demonstrates how fear of failure can lead to self-sabotage, highlighting the importance of overcoming this fear.

• Richard Campbell's journey from financial struggles to a successful sales career exemplifies overcoming self-doubt and embracing self-discipline in achieving success.

Cultivating the "Don't Care" Habit

• A "don't-care" attitude towards immediate results—focus on consistent effort rather than fear of failing—allows one to become more approachable and achieve success.

The Importance of Persistence

• Thomas Edison's 10,000 failures before creating the incandescent bulb showcase how overcoming setbacks can lead to groundbreaking achievements.

• The article emphasizes that failures are temporary roadblocks that don't define one's worth in life. Success will inevitably follow consistent effort despite failure.

• Shakespeare's quote: "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." (Failure can hinder one's development and success.)