We all face challenges and have to deal with adversity.  What should you do when you stumble and fall?  Get back up.  Failure only occurs when you quit.

How do babies learn to walk?  Their success is far from instantaneous.  They fall down after their first attempt.  Then they get back up and fall again.  This process is repeated hundreds of times.  As infants, we all learn to walk by simply getting up one more time than we fall down.

Becoming discouraged is learned, not innate.  As we mature, our unshakable childhood determination weakens.  Had we attempted to learn to walk at a later age, we would conclude that it was impossible after just a few unsuccessful attempts.

You were successful at walking because of adamant tenacity.  You didn’t give it a try.  It was something you were going to accomplish because you had not yet learned the concept of failure.

How’s your attitude now?  Are you ready to give up after one or more unsuccessful attempts at reaching a goal?  Do you justify giving up by telling yourself and others that at least you gave it a try? 

Creating a rewarding life is a challenge.  Tripping and falling or getting knocked down is to be expected.  The only way to avoid this is to do nothing, which accomplishes nothing.  Whenever you are down you must get back up.

When you fall, there will be no shortage of people attempting to comfort you with an endless list of reasons why it’s OK to give up.  Don’t listen to them!  All you need is one reason to get back up.  Throughout history, there has never been a single accomplishment by anyone who has remained down.

Getting back up isn’t easy.  It requires lots of effort.  Repeated falls drain your energy.  When you feel down and out, you must do whatever it takes to get back on your feet.  Failure only occurs when you stay down.

Feed your motivation by maintaining a focus on your goal.  Visualize all of the benefits you will accrue once an objective is attained.  Imagine how you will feel and act once you have reached your destination.  These strategies direct your mind to work non-stop to get you to where you want to be.

Seek help, guidance, and encouragement from those who are where you want to be.  You don’t have to know them personally.  You can read what they write or what others write about them.  Look for inspirational stories in the media and online.  Keep in mind that regardless of the challenges you may be facing, other people have also been through them and have found solutions.

Make your steps as small as necessary when getting back up.  Maintain a forward focus.  Avoid getting caught up in the past.  Learn from your mistakes.  Don’t turn them into anchors that hold you down.

Don’t blame anyone else when you fall.  Don’t feel sorry for yourself.  Don’t become angry or resentful.  Negative emotions such as bitterness weigh you down, making it very difficult to get back up.  Don’t fixate on what you think you don’t have, concentrate on what you do have.  Developing an attitude of gratitude wards off bitterness.

It’s never too late to get back up.  It doesn’t matter how long you have been down or what your age is.  Each day is a new beginning filled with unlimited opportunity.  So whatever challenges come your way, trip and fall as you may, just get up one more time than you fall, and all will be OK.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2010 Bryan Golden

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed