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.

Simple Fitness: How to Start Exercising

When you are first getting started with exercise it’s important to start off with the basics.  You’re likely out of shape and if you try and start to aggressively with your exercise program you will run the risk of injury.

I suggest doing what I have done this past week.  Just start walking.  Months ago before it got cold I was walking nearly everyday and I had gotten up to 5 miles or more a day, but the cold set in and I stopped then I lost track of exercise and am just now getting back into it. 

So, this past week I started walking again.  I started off pretty light.  I walked 2 miles in the morning before work 3 days last week.  Start by taking a 30-45 minutes out of you schedule and take a walk, it’s good exercise and a great chance to unwind and clear your head.  Walk as far as you can in half the time you set aside and then turn around and walk back.  As you get used to the routine walk a little further to continue to push yourself and you will progress your fitness greatly.

This week, I’ll push a little more and walk a little further.  The point is to keep pushing your limits and continuing to advance your exercise regimen to advance your health.  I have looked into the caloric expense of walking for an hour at MyFitnessPal and at my size/age/health level walking for an hour at 3 mph burns over 400 calories which is about the same calorie count as I consume in a meal. 

In addition to walking, I’ve been sticking to a simple diet and limiting myself to 2080 calories per day.  I consistently keep my carb intake low as well and all this has allowed me to knock off 5lbs (Down to 280 lbs!) so far.  All and all it’s been pretty easy so far.