There’s no such thing as failure, only…

I was reading Peter Jones’ book ‘Tycoon” recently, and although I’m not at all sure I want to be a tycoon, lots of it is very useful. Here’s one sentence that I really agreed with:

“I really believe that there are no failures in this world, only events that give you feedback”.

This is definitely rich thinking — and he’s right. I’ve just had what might be called a failure — lost someone’s telephone number who was supposed to be having a session with me right now. Well, how do I react to that? Beat myself up, criticise myself for not being perfect, or more organised? Yes, I admit, I have a tendency towards that kind of thinking. But I also have an uncanny ability to notice when I’m doing that, and of course I know what to do to change that kind of thinking around.

So in terms of this quote, the feedback I’m taking from this event is:

a) ensure all client details are on my system (yes I have a great system but if someone isn’t on it, it doesn’t work very well!)

b) send a reminder email to clients if they don’t have a regular slot time

c) send a reminder if I have been away for any length of time and not in touch

d) forgive myself, make amends to the client, and move forward having learnt something that makes the service I offer even better.

I’m going to print this quote out and have it up on my noticeboard for a while…

Jane