“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” ~Elbert Hubbard
This year has been a massive change for me. I had enough of the lameness that was freezing my previous life. Always experiencing the same days, meeting the same people, and doing the same things. Over and over again. Enough!
I did a complete 180-turn.
I changed the way I perceive mistakes and that made all the difference. My life is now more exciting than ever. I meet awesome people and do awesome things.
Making mistakes has been the life changing magic that I was lacking before.
Here are my three vibrant tips that will drastically change the way you perceive mistakes:
1. Let yourself make as many mistakes as necessary to create an exciting life.
I have a friend who’s got an incredible life. He’s location independent, travels wherever he wants, and enjoys a (digital) career others only dream of having.
Back in the day, I always thought he was using some kind of magic to make it work, because I couldn’t believe the success he was experiencing. I saw him doing the most exciting things and I always wondered: What does he have that I’m missing ?
What he had was experience.
That was the magic that made his life so freaking wonderful. When he was setting up his online business, he was making so many mistakes, it was unbelievable. He failed on a constant basis, screwing up the coding for his site, forgetting client calls, spending money on projects that sank like the titantic.
The list is endless. But he kept going. And you know what ? If you make more mistakes than anyone else, you will accumulate a mountain of experience. And from that springs a knowledge that allows you do incredible things.
My friend screwed up at least ten times more than me, and that’s why he succeeded. He’s also the most relaxed person I know; thanks to his experience, he knows what matters and what doesn’t.
2. Stretch yourself at least once a day.
Boy, this was a big one for me. I knew that in order to live life to the fullest, I had to do things I have never done before.
Average standards lead to an average life. People who live an incredible life have high standards. They constantly expand their comfort zone and courageously move forward.
I do that every day. Talking to women I meet on the streets. Saying yes to strange proposals (Have a South African party in a Christian church—why not ?)
The key is to start small. Very small. Don’t do epic things all at once. Do one thing every single day that makes you uncomfortable.
Call that person you are afraid to call. Speak to someone you just met. Become a yes (wo) man. Whenever there’s an opportunity to do something you have never done before, say yes. Every experience will expand your consciousness. Yoohay !
3. Don’t call them mistakes.
The word is like poison to your mind—get rid of it once and for all. I use the word challenge nowadays, and that works like white magic.
Making mistakes really means learning, and making many mistakes means you are learning fast. Every single day I ask myself: what are today’s challenges? What can I do today that makes me grow ?
Every new challenge you tackle will expand your horizons and open up new possibilities.
Promise yourself: I will stretch myself every single day. Today will be better than yesterday, because I have learned a new lesson.
Do that on a constant basis, and enjoy an amazing life!
Photo by maveric2003
About Mars Dorian
Mars Dorian helps people spread their influence and build passionate online communities. If you want to build a strong digital presence, dive into his world at marsdorian.com or follow him on Twitter.
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