Learning to Fall by Bryce Maddock, Founder of Task US
In yoga, one position I can’t master is the handstand. Every week I am put to shame by the 50 and 60 year old yogis who effortlessly toss themselves in and out of the position. Last class, as my frustration surged, I took it upon myself to ask one of the handstand masters, “How did you learn to do that?”
“I learned how to fall,” she responded.
This lesson applies to business and life: In order to truly succeed one must be willing to fall. We all know people who are too afraid to fall. Unwilling to take risks, they never get off the couch, never pursue the guy/girl they are attracted to, never escape their mind numbing 9 to 5 job.
If you are an entrepreneur you have already demonstrated a willingness to take a big risk. However, simply being willing to fall is not enough. Ultimately it is a numbers game. The more risks you take, the more you increase your chances of success, but the more falls you have to be willing to take as well.
This is why the most successful entrepreneurs have fallen many times. Russell Simmons launched the now defunct website 360 Degrees of Hip Hop. Richard Branson was forced to sell off his prized possession, Virgin Records. The Donald has lost fortunes on multiple ventures, and even went bankrupt.
The difference between falling and failing is getting back up. Falls are inevitable. They hurt, they may leave behind a scratch, a bruise, or an empty bank account, but they are also temporary. All of these successful entrepreneurs have fallen many times; but they reemerge smarter, stronger and savvier than before.
Unsuccessfully attempting a handstand is merely falling, but to not attempt it again is failure.
Fall, fall often and get back up. In time you will find success.
-Bryce Maddock is the founder of the online personal assistant service TaskUs (www.TaskUs.com). He writes the blog What’s Next Bryce? (www.BryceMaddock.com).
January 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Well written post. Insightful and motivating! I will def check out your service.
January 17th, 2009 at 1:07 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Joyce
http://www.webtraffictrigger.com
January 19th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Its true that if we dont learn how to fall, we could not go up. So its a key to success that we examine and defend our fall process
January 19th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Its a fact that if we dont learn how top fall we cant go up
January 20th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
@Joyce,
As far as I’m concerned, comments are very much appreciated, regardless of whether people agree or disagree with the post. It means people are reading and reacting. And that’s the start of conversation, deeper reflection and personal growth. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. XO
January 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
@Jason, glad you enjoyed the post. It was the first guest post and it was written by the founder of the company.
@David, thank you for your comments and thoughts.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I found this post incredibly inspirational. In these tough times this is the exact inspiration I needed. I love Teen Entrepreneur!
January 26th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@Julia
Yes, it was a fantastic post and by the number of comments it seems that it was definitely a reader favorite
November 5th, 2009 at 2:33 am
“but to not attempt it again is failure” – this phrase struck me the most, thanks for posting this very inspiring blog!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
The difference between the falling and failing is explained in a very good way .I apperciate it .