“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Failure Number 9

Lincoln’s quote ☝️ is a powerful and stark reminder that even the greatest among us stumble, fail, and fall flat on their faces.

Given enough time, as Ray Dalio puts it, “There are a whole host of ways that something will get you.” See image below…

This is where Lincoln’s example is proof positive that failure isn’t just a stepping stone to success; it’s an essential ingredient—a requirement.

In the realm of biophysics, there’s a concept known as the principle of maximum error*. It suggests that organisms, including humans, benefit from mistakes. It is through experimentation and failing that we learn, grow, and optimize ourselves.

Thus, Failure Number 9 or 18 or 72 isn’t a cause for despair but rather encouragement.

As long as you have the capacity to choose your response (see prior episode, Stimulus vs Response), and guide your behaviors toward your goals and ideals, you are on the path.

Sometimes when you are in a dark place you may feel you have been buried, when in fact you have been planted. ~ Christine Caine

Do your best to approach each setback as an opportunity to refine your approach, develop resilience, and discover new strengths.

Responding to failure is largely about finding a hopeful narrative. A H.E.R.O.’s narrative—one that is Hopeful, Empowering, Responsible, and Optimistic—even when the chapter you’re in feels like a tragedy.

“When you shift your perspective stories, meanings, feelings and even behaviors can change.”

Meaning as a Derivative of Perspective

Our perspective often shapes our emotions and actions.

Consider a bad breakup: Initially, it feels devastating, but years later, it might become a source of amusement.

This shift in perspective changes the meaning of the event, which in turn influences our feelings, behaviors, and outcomes.

Introducing: The Behavior Echo-System

The Behavior Echo-System, a new behavior model, illustrates how three key influencers are interconnected through our emotions and feelings:

Thinking/Story: Our thoughts and beliefs. These are the internal narratives we rely on to plan, predict, and explain events.

Behaviors/Habits/Skills: The actions we take and the habits and skills we develop.

Environment: Our surroundings, including people and places. While we can influence our environment, it also impacts us and our behaviors.

These three components continuously affect one another, creating a perpetual cycle.

Enter: Response-Ability

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can almost always choose how we respond. This is known as "response-ability."

Emotionally mature individuals often manage to choose their responses to frustrating, challenging, and stressful events.

The Power of Focus

Twain’s profound insight serves as a cornerstone for understanding the importance of focus in our lives.

Focus is about harnessing and directing our energy effectively.

Imagine a five-watt light bulb—it can barely light up a closet. But when that same energy is focused, it can cut through steel.

This is the fundamental principle behind the order of focus: selection, concentration, and then focus.

SELECT » CONCENTRATE » FOCUS

A popular method to enhance focus is the Pomodoro® Technique.

This ttechnique involves using a timer (app on a mobile device) for a specific period, such as 25 or 45 minutes, and dedicating that time solely to one task.

This method establishes a defined focus period, allowing for deep, uninterrupted work. Its simplicity and effectiveness lie in its ability to create a sense of urgency and clarity, making it easier to concentrate on the task at hand.

To improve your Habitstrength™, The Habit Factor applies the concepts of “Minimum Success Criteria” and “Target Days” for successive 28-day habit-tracking periods. Combining The Habit Factor® with the Pomodoro® Technique creates a powerful one-two punch to enhance productivity.

You can quickly transition from scattered energy to focused accomplishment.

Give it a try: track as few as three habits for 28 days and apply the Pomodoro® Technique for your focus periods.