Yesterday, I stumbled upon a website that blasted pretty much EVERY well-known business guru out there… This site basically tears apart the most well-respected marketers of our time. Almost ALL of their products – he claims – are over priced and under-effective (compared to his own “business opportunity”, of course.)
He even had the audacity to pick on one of the truly “greats” of our time… the man responsible for coaching MORE first generation entrepreneur millionaires than anyone else… the Millionaire Maker himself, Dan Kennedy. (He did throw in a half-hearted suggestion that you buy at least ONE Dan Kennedy book…) More business gurus on his hit list: Frank Kern, Robert Allen, Carlton Sheets,etc.
Anyway, it got me thinking about my OWN entrepreneurial journey and the coaches / mentors I have had along the way. Of course, I have my favorite…. my MOST effective coach and mentor. (You can have access to him at www.clubfearless.net for just $19 per month!!) BUT, who is my LEAST favorite? This is an easy question to answer.
I have a business (and life) coach who is relentless… who “shows up” at the worst possible moment and who is always trying to “teach me a lesson”. Truthfully, I have tried to fire this coach and walk away forever. Still, he persists…. faithfully, patiently, skillfully… and I hate him, sometimes. He is my LEAST favorite coach and his name is FAILURE.
Ben Stein wrote that “Failure is a patient teacher.” How true. FAILURE shows up – as a coach – to show me what won’t work… what I need to do differently… to teach me the value of persistance and creativity. And I hate him. But, I need not fear failure… or retreat to the perceived safety of my comfort zone to avoid him… or limit my action to not rub shoulders with him…
Instead, what if we all simply viewed failure as a success coach… as the toughest, most relentless and results-oriented coach we have ever known… and determined to profit from it -every time??
Michelle–
You really hooked me with this one!
First, by wondering who you were going to “name,” then wondering how you were going to do it “nicely” since I know it’s not your style to put down other people, then by revealing “failure” as your most hated but often most valuable “coach.”
This is one of my favorite blog posts of yours and I will always remember the lesson from it!
Thanks for being one of my best coaches!
Lisa
Thank you for putting failure into perspective and reminding me that it IS part of the process…..I can only get better from here 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you next month in Atlanta!!
Have a great day Michelle.
Dayna
I clicked right over from Twitter. Way to write! I’m watching, reading, learning, seeking and working. Let’s not forget that.
Great post for business success.