While researching this book, Napoleon Hill interviewed over 500 highly successful men; men that have now gone on to become icons of capitalistic history and success. As part of his research, he talked with them about facing temporary defeat head-on, and about what delineates success and failure.
“More than five hundred of the most successful men in United States history, icons of American Capitalism and success, told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point when defeat had overtaken them. Failure is a swindler with a keen sense of irony and cunning. It takes great pleasure in tripping a person when success is just within reach.”
Failure is a master manipulator—but only if your let it win by giving in to temporary defeat.
More Then One Road
The men Hill interviewed may have found success in that step beyond defeat, but their success was not only rooted in the better business turn around the corner. These men also found success because working through adversity and possible defeat teaches you something; it teaches you that there are more roads to success, and that if you have that definiteness of purpose, if your persist in your goals, you will find a road that leads you on to success…to wealth! And you will also learn that you can do whatever you put your mind to when you back your thought with determination. From that point on, every roadblock is easier to overcome because you’ve learned two essential lessons:
1. Temporary defeat is not failure—it’s TEMPORARY! You can succeed, you just have to find another way, and
2. You personally possess the skills and brain power to seek alternate routes to success and wealth creation
Now that’s some powerful knowledge indeed.
I will see you back here Monday and Thursday every week for the continuation of the Mindset Mastery series.
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Sean,
Who were those explorer’s who trekked all the way from the south of Australia, only to get a few miles from the gulf of Carpentaria and turn back?
Dean
LOL. Those are legendary people who are commended for their “Success” and have made their place in Australian folklore. One does not need to succeed to make a place in Tall-Poppy Syndromia (Australia)
Hi Sean! I like setbacks and obstacles, it’s that special place where I learn how o do something new. When something is easy, it’s no fun for me. I like how you call defeat temporary – it truly is
I have experienced many “temporary” setbacks. I’m still getting over some of them
Hi Sean,
Maybe, if we changed the way we looked at defeat it would help. If every time we encountered a setback, instead of giving up, we acknowledged it as a signal that we were actually getting closer to our goals, we might not be so inclined to quit.
Also, I think most of us (me included) don’t see ‘temporary defeat’. We only see ‘defeat’. If we could train our hearts and minds to see the ‘temporary’ aspect of defeat, it might be easier to persist.
It’s comforting to know that if I can learn to overcome temporary defeat; I have all the skills and brain power I need to find a way to be successful. I can do this.
If you look at it this way you have come to a bridge along the road, and the bridge has fallen down what do you do?
If you want to go ahead the only thing you can do is go back and find road
Or build a new bridge and thus create your own way. Someone before you had to build that bridge, so if they could so can you
Renee´s last blog ..The Best Way To Get Motivated
Hi Sean,
Never give up is the message here. I think, as long as I can see that I am moving forward even if it’s just a little bit each day then it is worth it to keep going. I’m not sure I have anything to relate to this lesson right now except maybe my YOTA Forum learning. I’m not ready to give that up. Not yet!
Still plodding along. No giving up. No way!
Jill.
Just one step beyond the point when defeat had overtaken them.
If you’ve ever worked with a fitness trainer who gets you to do just that one more sprint, one more push up, one more lunge – just when you think you can’t do anymore. That one extra step can make all the difference.
Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..Richard Branson Business School: A day visit
And the same applies with a good coach or mentor in other disciplines of life. They can see it from a different angle, and can help you to push through, so you can enjoy the victory!
Renee´s last blog ..The Best Way To Get Motivated
Hi, Sean
I don’t know if you remember, but there is a song that used to be sung on the ABC’s ‘Play School’ – about coming up against obstacles, and ‘if you can’t go over it, can’t go round it, can’t go under it, have to go through it’…. most empowering. There is always a way!
Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness
Hi Jo,
I didn’t know Play School had a song like that but it would have been great for the kids. You definitely have to find a way to deal with obstacles. There’s always many options. You just have to see them.
I think it’s Donald Trump who talks about the only way to deal with obstacles is to go straight through them. I kind of like it. The head on approach works great for me.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen – Aussie Internet Marketer Making a Difference
If wealth and success were easy then everyone would have it. We limit ourselves. The barriers to our success our our own limitations. If we let them they manifest as perceived failures. We can overcome many of the limitations before they manifest if we are clever enough.
Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Think And Grow Rich Mindset Mastery
Hi Jazz,
I like the idea. To change the way temporary setbacks are viewed. Instead of seeing them as failure look at them as a challenge to be pursued until conquered. Or use them as a yardstick, an indication that the battle is almost won.
That way of thinking is very positive. Could be a great advantage if it is practical to use when put into practice.
A clever article, Sean. Sure makes you think!
Jill Brown´s last blog ..Common Law Marriage – What is Common Law Marriage?
Hey Sean,
One thing I was thinking as I was reading the story of Darby and the comments is that it’s easy for us to sit back and to say, “Only three more feet? Why didn’t they just keep going?” It was not only the perceived lack of result that they had to deal with, it was also the emotional attachment, and that in itself can be quite an obstacle to overcome.
However, it could also be used as another gauge as to how close we get to making a breakthrough. Not only is the ‘obstacle’ of temporary defeat there, but also the mounting frustration and/or despair, to be used as a meter.
Just a thought!
Pete
Hi Sean
Knowing that these men have found success in that step beyond defeat is a shout to all of us to listen up.
If we heed that advice then we will all know that success is just one step further. So we stay determined to making those steps until we know we have succeeded.