The Razor’s Edge Between Success and Failure

When you take a close look at success you soon discover that there is a fine line that separates it from failure.

 The desire is great to try and keep our life neat and tidy. We create structures to keep us from stress and strain. Yet the stress and strain continue to come so we respond by retreating further into a safety that really never comes. Playing it safe rarely leads to a fulfilled life.

 I have to admit that I like to play it safe. My risks (if you could call them that) are well calculated. However, if you talk to most highly successful people you will find they often have to step out without a net and go all in. They may fail but they might succeed. Successful people do both well, they fail and succeed. The difference is they know how to keep plowing forward after they fail.

 “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure… in life, the question is not if you will have problems, but how you are going to deal with the problems. Are you going to fail forward or backward?” – John Maxwell

 Growing up I enjoyed watching TV shows that told the stories of great mountain climbers. The climbers that failed to climb Everest often quit just before the summit. Just a few more feet and they would have made it to the top and achieved their goal. Then there are people like me who try to avoid that razor’s edge so I stay warm and tidy in my house and watch the climbers on TV.

 Success is out there in the cold and wind. We have to walk that razor’s edge. (Click to Tweet ) On one side is success the other is failure.

To Navigate the Razor’s Edge of Success

• You have to be OK with risk
• No we should not be risky just to be risky – Take risk with purpose
• Know that failure is an option but failure does not equal the end of the story (Click to Tweet)
  
• Life is dangerous; we need to stop living to make every last bit of it safe. Life in a bubble is not fun.
• Persevere – We will fail, things will go wrong, life will happen. We have to build in our minds the strength to get up each day and move forward.
• Learn from failure. See it as a valued part of your continuing education.
• For the Christian this requires a life of faith – If risk is not involved why do we need faith? We have to be OK not having all the answers.

 I don’t know about you but I am ready to get off the couch and go conquer the mountains of life. Life is messy so I am sure I will get it wrong at times; however, tomorrow is a new day to walk the razor’s edge.

Tell me, how will you walk the razor’s edge?

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 John Maxwell quote is from the book Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success

photo credit: nwpuzzlr via photopin cc

About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.