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
{ 7 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
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.