Blueprints for Brilliance: the Simple Secrets of Success.

Over the weekend, I decided it was finally time to sort out my bookshelves, a job I'd been putting off for ages. What I thought would be a simple task turned into a deep dive into the world of knowledge. I found so many great books I hadn't looked at in years, full of ideas and lessons that have really shaped how I think.

That got me thinking: why should I keep all this great stuff to myself?

So, I've decided to start a newsletter called “Blueprints for Brilliance”. It's my way of sharing all the amazing tips and wisdom I've picked up from these books with you. Think of it as getting the best bits of advice and insight, ready to apply directly to your life and work, helping you get ahead in ways you might not have thought of before.

This newsletter is still a work in progress, and I'd really like to know what you think as it evolves. I plan to cover some key ideas from these amazing books that can help you in negotiations, boost your influence, or just give you a new perspective on personal growth. It's like getting a shortcut to success, learning from the best out there.

I'm really excited to share this with you. These ideas have been a big deal for me, and I think they could help you too. Let's start this journey together.

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

Keep Failing Forward

Success, much like happiness, is a journey, not a destination. The road there is paved with high hopes and disappointments, trials and errors, and many failures. I have failed more times than I succeeded. But, each failure got me closer to where I wanted to be, and each failure was a great lesson in the university of life. I have yet to meet a successful person, in any walk of life, who has not encountered failures and disappointments along the way. It's just the way it is. When you climb to the summit, you are bound to slip sometimes and fall. The true grit is to get up and continue. At times there will be people around you to lend a hand and help you, and sometimes you will be on your own.

Thomas Edison famously reframed his extensive trials and errors in developing the light bulb by saying, "I have not failed 10,000 times—I've successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work." This quote reflects his perseverance and positive outlook on the process of invention and discovery.

We should all strive to achieve what we set out to do. For that, we need to have a vision and at least an outline of what we want to accomplish and how. As the Cheshire Cat wisely advises Alice in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the direction we choose to take depends significantly on where we want to get to. Without a clear destination in mind, any path will take us there — or nowhere in particular. This timeless conversation highlights the importance of setting goals and intentions. Knowing our desired outcome helps us choose the right path, making every step we take intentional and directed toward achieving our aims.

So what does failing forward mean?

"Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success" by John C. Maxwell, introduces several key principles centered around the concept of leveraging failures as opportunities for growth and progress. Here's a summary of its core principles:

1. Redefining Failure: Envision failure not as success’s nemesis, but as its shadow, accompanying every step towards triumph. It's not a label or a dead-end but a classroom where growth and enlightenment bloom.
2. Take Responsibility: Grab the reins of your mishaps. Look beyond the external scapegoats and dive into the introspective sea to fish out the pearls of wisdom from what went wrong.
3. Learn from Each Mistake: Analyze your failures to extract valuable lessons, the secrets to mastery lie therein.
4. Change Your Response: Twist your viewpoint; treat failure as a trusted ally on the path to your aspirations, not a blockade. Embrace it as a necessary step towards achieving your goals, rather than an obstacle.
5. Keep Trying till you get there: Persistence is crucial. Embrace it. The cycle of trying, falling, learning, and rising again perfects the script of progress.
6. Cultivate a Garden of Positivity: Nourish your mind with optimism, for it’s the soil where resilience flourishes. Recognize that each setback is merely a detour, not a dead-end.
7. Aim for the Stars, Land on the Moon: Perfection is a myth. Your endeavors should be focused on realistic goals but not necessarily on a small scale. The path to greatness is dotted with hurdles. But, don't aim too low or your achievements will not satisfy you. It's better to "fail" on a grand endeavor than to "succeed" on a small "safe" scale.
8. Focus on Strengths: Leverage your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Success is the harmony of leveraging your best while improving the rest.
9. Break Free from Fear’s Grip: Fear of failure can be paralyzing. Courageously stepping forward counterintuitively is the truest form of bravery.
10. The Power is in your tribe: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your growth. A strong support network can provide motivation, advice, and encouragement through tough times.

Maxwell's principles of failing forward emphasize a proactive and positive approach to dealing with failure, transforming it from a deterrent to a catalyst for growth and success. Therefore, each mistake we make is actually a step forward towards our ultimate goals.

Actionable Insights

1. Failures are a learning opportunity - Embrace being a spectacular failure or remain mediocre. Failure isn't the opposite of success; it's a critical part of the journey. Each setback teaches us something valuable. Reflect on your recent challenges and consider what lessons they offer.
2. A positive mindset towards challenges is a must. It's not just about avoiding negativity; it's about actively seeing the potential for growth in every setback. I exercise by reframing a "failure" as an opportunity for improvement.
3. Build and use your support network. Success and resilience are often supported and enhanced by the people around us. Identify those in your life who encourage and support your growth, and distance yourself from the ones who are the opposite.

Movies for the weekend on the topic

• The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - 8.5/10 (Staring Will Smith, based on a true story);
• Whiplash (2014) - 8.5/10 (Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons);
• Joy (2015) - 6.6/10 (Starring Jennifer Lawrence).

Ready for More Blueprints?

• Found value in our journey today? Share this newsletter with friends or colleagues who are also on the quest for knowledge and growth. Let's widen our circle of learning and support.
• We're just getting started. Stay tuned for our next issue (subscribe), where more blueprints designed to enhance your path to success and personal growth will be discussed.

Most importantly, Thank you for being an integral part of my community.

P.S. If you have thoughts and ideas, please share them publicly or with me in private.

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