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How do you deal with failure? This week's podcast is with Scott Sandage, author of Born Losers- A History of Failure in America. Failure is common in all of our careers; it is
inherent with taking risk in our lives. Scott's book describes in an interesting way how failure has come to be viewed in our
society. The idea for the book came when Scott was in the book store and noticed how much has been written about success and
how little has been written about failure.
An example of failure is Ken Jennings who took a smart risk and became a contestant on the game show Jeopardy (game show
hosted by Canadian Alex Trebek). After 2700 correct answers, or rather questions, he incorrectly answered a question - he
failed. Now we all know who has 40,000 workers that work 4 months per year (FedEX was what Ken answered, H&R Block was the
correct answer). Like all normal human beings he eventually failed. Still Ken went home with over $2.5 million.
I did some quick math and figured out that Ken spent approximately 37.5 hours on television for the 75 shows. One standard
work-week. Not bad. That would work out to an annual income of $131 million dollars if he was able to keep up his hourly
rate.
It is said that you learn more from failure than you do from success. As Thomas Eddison said, he learned 50 ways not to make a
light bulb. On the 51st try he was able to apply his previous "failures" to the final breakthrough solution: one, which we all
really appreciate.
Ken was asked what he was going to take away from this experience and he answered, “During my life, I think I made a lot of
safe and practical choices, I never took a chance or did something that for me would be a dream...being on Jeopardy has been that
dream. You are much happier when you go for that long shot and play to your strengths instead of always doing the safe easy
thing, I am grateful to this experience, if nothing else, for having taught me that."
So what is your dream? What could you do to start moving towards that dream? For Ken it was contacting Jeopardy to start the
process of becoming a contestant. He had to send in a letter and present himself as a credible contestant. I am sure there was
much resistance to take this first step. Remember, it would have taken some time before he got on his very first show yet the
first step he took was significant: it was his first action towards a whole new life.
Maybe it is time for you to take an action towards your goals.
Action - Write down one goal that you haven't yet reached or even begun reaching for. Write down the first step
you need to take towards that goal.
This week, what smart risk could you take?
Now go and do it.
How do you deal with risk and failure?
Taking smart risk, along the road with you!
Alan
Alan Kearns, Canada's Career Coach, is the founder of CareerJoy: The Career Coaching Company. He is one of Canada's
foremost experts on all things relating to careers. Alan has more than 17 years of experience coaching professionals with
successful career decisions. Alan was voted one of the Top 40 entrepreneurs under the age of 40 and is the author of Get the
Right Job.
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