John C. Maxwell… a renowned expert on leadership has said, “There are two kinds of people in this world; those who want to get things done, and those who don’t want to make mistakes.” The idea that mistakes are inevitable for “Doers” is inherent in his comment.
Until I read that quote, I had never considered that the different approaches people adopt in life’s pursuits can be so clearly defined in such unambiguous terms… However, after some thought, I couldn’t argue with the logic of that statement.
As a Hypnotherapist and NLP Coach, I have witnessed how the transformative power of hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can reshape our responses to “failure” and can even help us to think of it as “feedback” and not “failure”.
By guiding individuals into a relaxed state and accessing the subconscious mind, it enables the reshaping of perspectives. Mistakes, under hypnosis, can become perceived as vital learning opportunities, fostering a mindset shift from fear to growth.
NLP techniques can dismantle negative thought patterns associated with the fear of making mistakes. Through restructuring internal dialogues and beliefs, NLP empowers individuals to view errors as stepping stones toward improvement rather than as insurmountable barriers.
Baseball legend, Babe Ruth, is a perfect example of how successful people recognize and accept that errors are inherent in the pursuit of excellence. If you learn from your mistakes, each one will bring you closer to achieving your goal.
Specifically, during his exceptional performance in the 1927 baseball season, Babe Ruth achieved an impressive 60 home runs but also encountered a whopping 89 strikeouts!
Ruth’s unwavering commitment to stepping up to the plate despite setbacks is a powerful testament to resilience and clearly demonstrates that if you can look beyond the “mistake”, you have an opportunity to find greatness. Babe Ruth had definitely found it!
Maxwell’s distinction isn’t merely theoretical; it’s about the choice between allowing fear of failure to define you… or allowing courage and your pursuit of excellence to motivate you. Which do you choose?
The reality is that significant endeavors often entail encountering obstacles along the path to success. Remaining within one’s comfort zone inhibits growth and limits potential achievements. Ruth’s season transcends mere athletic statistics; it embodies a valuable lesson for anybody in any field. He didn’t allow strikeouts to diminish his resolve; instead, he regarded them as developmental milestones.
When presented with opportunities, it’s crucial not to succumb to hesitation. While success isn’t guaranteed, every attempt—regardless of the outcome—contributes to personal growth and shapes the trajectory towards one’s aspirations.
Imagine if Ruth had retreated after encountering strikeouts. His awe-inspiring home runs would never have materialized. Similarly, allowing fear of failure to deter one from taking action could mean missing out on your own future significant accomplishments.
Just as Ruth’s strikeouts didn’t deter his resolve but rather served as developmental milestones, a good Hypnotherapist and NLP Coach will guide you in viewing setbacks as integral components of progress. These approaches equip individuals with tools to navigate challenges, transforming mistakes into valuable learning experiences.
If you would also like to shift your mindset to regard setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to recalibrate and evolve, please always feel free to reach out.
Jayne Goldman, MBA, C.Ht., Founder and Principal of Best Life Hypnotherapy in Los Angeles, is a Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Master NLP Practitioner and Coach.
