You have the most power when you have been battered and it seems like there is no way to crawl back up. It sounds counter-intuitive, but when you have been beaten to the ground, you find new found energy and creative solutions to slowly come back up. It’s a “nothing to lose” and “nothing to be afraid of” mentality. You have the most power because you fear less. After all, what’s the worst that can happen when you have already encountered failures and terrible situations? You can gladly step into the Underdog Club and unleash your force.
Why are there are so many dyslexic entrepreneurs? Take the likes of Richard Branson, Daymond John and countless others. Growing up, these people were subjects of humiliation. They realized that they would have to take more risk in life to prove themselves. They didn’t fear anything because after all, they had nothing to lose. So, why not take the leap? The risk could only result in upside. Failure had empowered them. (Read Gary Cohn’s story).
Similarly, a disproportionate number of successful and famous people witnessed the death of at least one parent before the age of 20. When you realize that death can be so sudden and imminent and when you have seen terrible times such as losing a loved one, it makes it harder for you to be afraid of much else in life. Really, what is the worst that can happen? This fearless attitude allows them to take more risks and create memories.
Hey, when face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears
Made memories we knew would never fade
-Avicci, The Nights
Failures empower you. Failures give you a new sense of power. Failures make you fearless. The next time you fail at something, don’t chide yourself for it. Ask yourself, what is my new strength?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If you have stories of when you were empowered through failing, I would love to hear them – please do comment.
Recommended book: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
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