Failure in 10 easy steps | Travel Research Online

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Failure in 10 easy steps

Success is likely something you’ve been chasing for a long time. Homeownership, career success, family stability, or money in the bank. For some of us business owners, we might even define it a being able to make payroll this week.

But, the reality is that success is hard; and very uncertain. It might mean oppressive hours at the office. It might mean jumping out of your comfort zone to learn new skills that scare you. It usually includes some uncertainty and discomfort. But success is worth it! Or so they say.

In my mind, failure is much easier. If you want to be a failure, read on. I have laid out your personal failure plan in ten easy steps. But, if you are still reaching for the stars, read on and avoid these ten pitfalls.

Chase Other People’s Dreams

The best way to be a complete failure is to misunderstand the definition of “success” from the start. Focus your dreams on the ambitions and desires of others—ignore what you want.  Go ahead and make a decision that you must earn 6 figures and have that corner office because your father told you so. It may mean 16-hour days and no family time, but hey, Dad did it like that, right? If you’re really lucky, you’ll work hard busting your butt to meet someone else’s goal – and then you’ll realize that it means nothing after all. After all that work, you will have still failed.

Start Many Projects, Finish None

If you want to be a failure, become proficient at starting things and avoid finishing them. When an idea hits, jump right into it—start a travel blog, get a Facebook page, Pinterest account, etc. Three days later, get bored and forget about it. When another idea hits, run with it and blast your clients with a great new weekly newsletter–once. Move on and jot down your new website design and put up that little “under construction” page and then find something more pressing. Are you seeing a pattern here? One great way to fail is to give up on your goals and continually establish new ones.

When The Going Gets Tough, Give Up

Most long-term goals have their rough spots. It’s always easy at first, when you’re pumped up and oh so motivated. But pretty soon, you’ll get bored, tired, or just fed-up. If you want to be a failure, just quit at the first sign of discomfort. Don’t ever take a project all the way to the end zone. It’s just too much work.

Never Give Up, Ever

Of course, there’s a better way to fail than by simply bailing out early. Once you’ve started something, don’t even consider giving up, even though you know and all the evidence points to failure. If your business has been sinking for months with no end in sight, borrow money from Aunt Ruth to keep it afloat. Never received a single response in the 5 years you have been advertising in the local paper? Commit for another 5 years. You’re not a quitter.

Never Ask For Help

To be a failure, you have to insist on doing absolutely everything yourself. Never, ever ask for help. If you are overwhelmed, that’s alright because “if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself.” Never admit any weakness. Finally, under all circumstances, never, never, never, ask for directions.

Trample On Other People

One great way to fail; from relationships to friendships to work, is to treat other people like trash. If they’re in your way, step on them. If they ask you for anything, refuse. If they make a mistake, yell at them. If they disagree with you, pout. To really fail in life, you need to alienate absolutely everyone who might ever be in a position to help, support or care for you.

Never Say No

If you find that you are just too nice to trample on those who are able to help; you can always try saying   “yes” to all requests. Your boss wants you to do yet another special project? No problem. A client needs you to guarantee that upgrade? Gotcha—no problem. A room in a sold out hotel? You betcha! In fact, only say “no” to your own hopes and dreams.

Disorganization Is Key

To increase your chance of failure in any venture, be as disorganized as possible. Forget invoicing your clients for the deposit. Misplace the cruise documents that just came in. Tell your client the wrong time and carrier—or both! Don’t bother keeping any notes about the conversations you have with your clients as you plan their trip. Disorganization is a critical component of failure!

Stay In Your Comfort Zone

If you ever get the chance to try something new, avoid it! Steer clear. Run in the opposite direction. New opportunities are always scary; and scary is no fun. Stay inside your cozy little comfort zone and never leave. Never challenge yourself. Why extend yourself to a project or a goal that might realize your full potential?

Procrastinate

My final tip for the road to complete failure is to procrastinate. Put everything off until the last minute. And then put it off just a little bit more. Even longer if you feel the need. Not only will you fail at whatever project you are working on, but as an added bonus you will become stressed out! The best procrastination methods involve things that really are of little interest to you (or anyone else) – online games, playing with the cat, or watching Jerry Springer or the afternoon Judges. Cat videos on YouTube also work well.  And when you are done procrastinating, make sure you add in a large dose of guilt. That should do it!

Obviously this is written with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, but these ten items are sure to be dings in your path the success. And let’s be honest, we are all guilty of some of these…right?  I know at times in my business I am guilty of XYZ and occasionally I need to be reminded.  That’s why I selected this topic today!

What about you? Which ones are impeding your success? Are there some I missed? Please let me know in a comment

  One thought on “Failure in 10 easy steps

  1. Jay Foonberg says:

    I am the author of the American Bar Association’s all time best seller, “How To Start and Build A Law Practice”. The book is isntended for lawyers with no experience in starting, running . or managing a business or professional practice.

    Your list is good, but I would respectfully add that you may have left out the most important concept, which is planning.
    Failing to plan is planning to fail.
    A goal is just a wish without a written plan.

    This is alluded to, but not really covered in your Disorganization portion.

    The simplest and most effective form of planning is nothing more than a “to do” list, updated continually. It can be kept on a piece of paper in your wallet or purse.
    Although, the list can be kept in the memory of a computer, putting it in writing is like signing a contract with yourself.

    Just a few thoughts.

    Jay Foonberg

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