If you’re like me, you want a step by step plan for what will work to make your business a success. A sure-fire way to know that the effort and money I put in will give me a return and not a failure. And we want to see continual, gradual improvement.
The thing is, there is no surefire way. Just because something worked for one person doesn’t mean it will work for another. All the how-to guides in the world are just fluff for people who don’t want to go through failure before they get to success.
The key to success is failure. You’ve heard that plenty of times. But the real trick isn’t the failure. It’s the ability to recognize that your project, your business, your product, is a work of art.
When we start looking at our projects as a work of art, we don’t care what the rest of the world thinks about it. We couldn’t care less if we get criticized because we didn’t make it for someone else’s approval. We made it because we can’t not make it.
My story is one of multiple failures. It’s one where I try new things almost daily and it’s become a way of life for me. I’m not successful by the definition that industrialism has given us. But I am successful in finding out what doesn’t work. For me.
I know that business isn’t broken, it’s changed. And I know that many would disagree with me. But for those of you that agree, we’re onto something. I’d love to join you in your project and see what we can build together.
Here’s to your work of art!
Comment below and let us know what you’re working on and where you’re stuck.
Really good thoughts, Jared. I love the idea of expanding the definition of “art.” Whatever type of work you do, if it’s done with creativity and passion, is artful.
One thing I have continually noticed about people who are successful (however one would define it) is that they take risks and have failures. It has taken me a long time to get comfortable with the idea of failing or looking stupid in front of others. But you have to care about serving people, and care about the idea, more than you do about looking dumb. If you never fail, you’re not taking any risks, and therefore probably not doing much worthwhile!
I thought of you when I wrote that actually. The way you care so much about your art is inspiring. And yes, it takes failures to learn what works. I have my fair share of them almost daily 😀
Well thanks. 🙂 Your post actually gave me an idea for a post on how to deal with the fear of failure, and that will come out tomorrow. I love it when other people give me good ideas!