Why You Want to Fail

Don’t tell anyone, but, years ago I was a -gulp- telemarketer.  I was in telesales.  I called you during dinner and interrupted prime time television to sell you something you didn’t know that you didn’t need. 

What’s worse?  I was good at it.  I was a huge success, and was pulling down big commissions.  I was getting paid more than all the other telemarketers around me.  (We kept our sales stats on a whiteboard as we worked.)  How did I do so well?  I had to fail… a lot. 

Columbus failed to find a western route to the Indies.  Thomas Edison had over 10,000 attempts that failed before he invented the light bulb.  Walt Disney went bankrupt in making his first cartoon production.  Each of these men were met with astounding failure, (Edison repeatedly) before reaching the height of their success.    

In life you’re going to fail.  If you ever attempt to do something worthwhile, you’re going to fail a lot.  Every road to success is paved in failures, but every one is a chance to learn from the mistakes and refine your methods making you a better version of yourself.   

Making mistakes is the means of great innovation.  With every “No” you’re a single set closer to making a “Yes”.  Sales people look at statistics.  If one in every hundred people says “Yes” to a sale, then how quickly do they want to fail 99 times?  I’d say as quickly as possible. 

Back in the phone-farm (as I called it) it was a simple principle.  The more calls I make the better my sales will be.  I would fly as quickly as I could through my screens to get to the point where I’d get a bite or hung up on.  Then press on.  It kept the time moving and the paycheck heavy. 

I’m not suggesting you go out and be reckless in pursuit of your goals.  If you aren’t going to bring your “A” game then don’t show up until you’re ready.  However, know that you aren’t always going to succeed at everything you do. 

You can build failure into your plan.  If it’s expected there’s no reason to fear it.  It’s going to happen, get over it and anticipate it.  Then learn the lesson and move on. 

This is how to fail your way to success. 

If you’re wondering, I eventually walked out of the telemarketing position.  The self loathing I felt for myself crushed my heart and soul I couldn’t do a job that I hated.  No amount of money is worth the feeling that I eventually developed in doing that.  But that’s for another blog.