For
nearly three decades, we’ve been challenged to
describe what Business Development is all about. More often
than not, it's been defined by
explaining what it isn't. It’s not the same thing as
selling. This is a simplistic, inaccurate answer and
does a disservice to both perspectives.
The philosophy of risking,
failing and learning is one of the most powerful
concepts to embrace to further yourself
personally and professionally. How many times
have you decided to change because you are not
satisfied with the current results your prospects delivered
... or your revenue or
profit goals reached ... and then backed off when
the psychological and/or physical discomfort of
the unfamiliar set in? Loosening your hold on
the certain or the status quo to strive for
something better is risky business. It carries the risk of failure.
Risking is the act of
letting go - letting go of something you are
certain of and reaching out for something you
are not sure of, but believe it is better than
what you have. In every risk situation there is
an unavoidable loss … something that has to be
given up in order to move forward. Success
depends more on your willingness to risk than
being concerned about what happens if you fail.
When you are
unhappy with where you are, you should be
willing to risk … risk getting out of
your comfort zone and risk failure. Only by
risking failure are you likely to succeed in
anything. Too many people waste their lives
thinking their objective is to succeed, when in
reality all they are doing is avoiding failure.
Further, in their avoidance of failure, they
have blocked their deepest creative forces
within that can make a life fulfilling, exciting
and meaningful.
The learning part of
failure is quite obvious. Every failure
represents a lesson. Every failure adds another
level of wisdom. Consider this: The most
successful Business Development professionals
have failed more than anyone who is a true
failure thought possible. Success and failure are deeply
intertwined. As Colin Powell once said, "There
are no secrets to success. It is the result of
preparation, hard work and learning from
failure."
