Business Success - Are You Making Enough Mistakes?

You might be surprised to learn who makes the most mistakes. But these people don't regard mistakes as a failure.

Who is the world record holder for the most mistakes?

No idea, but we do know who knows how to succeed in business: Bill Gates of Microsoft. 

So, it's a pretty fair bet Bill Gates has dropped a few clangers in his time. But don't think this is a rant against Bill Gates, Windows Service Pack Two, Vista...  or big business in general. It isn't.

The truth is, most mistakes are made by successful people. Ergo, it's a pretty fair bet - as the world's one time wealthiest man - he's made quite a few.

It's a pretty well known fact Bill dropped out of Harvard, before completing the full course. It's a common trait amongst high achievers to either do poorly in their formal education - or go so far,  and then drop out. 

So let's look at the alternative scenario.  Let's say Bill had been a model student and studied at Harvard right to the bitter end. As a result, he became an ace programmer, with never a mistake in his coding.

Well done, Bill!

But, would he now be #3 in Forbes magazines's 400 Richest in 2008 - with $58 Billion?

What do you think?

So there's a lesson for us all there.

It's OK to make a mistake. In fact, don’t waste any time plunging right in and discovering how totally liberating feels to make mistakes without guilt. Remember, a person who never makes a mistake, likely never make much of anything and certainly achieves very little of value.

It's often said we learn more from our mistakes than our successes, and it's quite true.  The problem is, most people shrink from making a mistake, so never discover the wisdom in that saying. And never achieve much in the way of success.

"I've made a mistake". . . . "I've made a mistake". . . "I've made a mistake". 

There. The spell is broken. So, don't be frightened of the expression ever again.

Just remember, making mistakes goes with the territory – if you want to succeed.

But don't confuse allowing yourself to make mistakes with developing a slovenly attitude. Always strive for excellence in everything you do, but don't beat yourself up if you do make a mistake – and certainly don't let the fear of making a mistake hinder your progress.

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