A while ago I saw a part of a Dragons Den episode. I didn’t see the full pitch and I only caught the end of the interaction between a couple seeking investment and the Dragons. What I did see was the Dragons all declining to invest but also giving lots of advice and direction to the couple. As the pair left the den the Dragons all wished them well with their business – the couple appeared to have been very well received, but they had left the den “empty handed”… or had they?
One can look at it that way… if all one sought was investment and a Dragon or two to expand one’s business. To their credit the two investment-seekers walked out with their spirits soaring where others might have been deeply disappointed. How could this be?
Unlike many of those I’ve seen come into “the den” they had not seen this as merely an chance to walk away with a dragon on their team and some investment. No, they had seen this as huge opportunity to have a panel of multi-millionaire business people take a close look at their offering and their business plans, and give them invaluable advice on how to make it better. Yes, investment would have been the first prize, but they chose to see the process as one where they could learn and improve… they could not lose.
It reminded me of the saying that goes something like, “there is no such thing as failure, you either win or you learn.” I haven’t always looked at life like this. Too many times I have taken what other people have said to heart, or I’ve let myself believe that I wasn’t good enough, and let it stop me from moving forward
Then I came across the world of coaching and personal development. This opened my eyes to the fact that it is possible to change the way I think and behave, even if I’d been limiting myself for so many years. After years of behaving in the same way it takes a lot of work and constant focus to change these habits, but it is possible.
You either win or you learn. Therefore, every “loss” has in it the seed of a lesson. It may not be obvious at the time but with time and reflection it is often possible to find it.
I’m not done yet, I don’t believe anybody ever is. What I do know though is I’m still going and I won’t stop…
Patrick Hickman 