Truth Behind Mike Whitfield's Failure
Today’s a travel day out to San Diego for…
…this weekend’s 3rd Turbulence Training Summit with over 165 attendees. I’m stoked that we’ve doubled attendance from last year, and thanks to our guest speakers, this year is going to be at least 4x’s better than 2012.
TT Trainer of the Year 2012, Mike Whitfield, will be there this year to pass on his crown. That’s going to be the highlight of my weekend.
But until then, and while I’m on a plane to the sunny California coast, here’s Mikey with an important message for you.
Mike Whitfield is a true inspiration to every online business owner frustrated by a lack of family and personal time. Mikey has achieved what they all dream about…because he is an action taker…and a “welcomer-of-failure”.
The truth, below… – Craig B.
The Truth Behind Failure
By Mike Whitfield
About two weeks ago, I sent an inspiring email to my list.
The funny thing was that it was “off a whim.” I wasn’t even planning on emailing them, but I felt compelled to share what was on my mind. The idea came to me on a long walk (that’s when some of my best ideas hit me). It was about how failure is actually a good thing.
Cole, my awesome customer support rep, forwarded me at least a dozen emails about how this message impacted them and got them excited. The email, which was off a whim, was much bigger than I thought.
So if my Finisher Freaks found it beneficial, than I know you, as an Internet Independence reader, could use it as well. We could all use a little “pick-me-up”, especially when you think things are not going your way.
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This morning, I did my usual routine. The alarm went off at 4:30, and I moseyed on down the stairs to grab a sip of water.
My wife was with our newborn, Deakan, on the couch. As I walked into the kitchen, he did a nasty burp.
Well played baby D, well played.
Then, I made my way down to the dining room, where I read “The Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” by Tony Dungy.
It’s a daily ritual. It sets my mind right for the rest of the day.
Today’s challenge from Tony really spoke to me. It was about failure… and how failure isn’t really a bad thing.
I know I have failed when I tried to lose weight before my final success of losing 105 pounds. Certainly you didn’t think I started and knocked it out of the ball park did you?
Ha, no way.
And still dominating pancakes.
I hit plateaus. I got frustrated. In fact, the first day I exercised, I was exhausted after just completing one lousy lap around my old high school track.
This is personal, but honestly, I cried. I asked myself, “Is this even worth it? Am I really going to do this?”
Because after all, I tried a couple of things in the past that didn’t work for me. I even went on a low carb diet.
I actually lost about 20 pounds in less than 3 weeks…
… but I gained it all back PLUS some.
FAIL.
I’ve even failed as a trainer before. Heck, when I first started as a trainer, I used to tell my clients to do more cardio if they were struggling to lose weight.
I didn’t know better. That was before I learned from people like Craig Ballanytne and Alwyn Cosgrove.
Hey, let’s get personal. I know there have been times when I could have been a better father.
Champ would want me to chase him around the house, yet I found myself on the laptop.
Fortunately, from that failure, I’ve learned to separate work and family.
See, “failure” is what makes us better. Failure tells us what’s NOT working so we can try something else.
Tony mentioned how Thomas Edison made many attempts at inventing a working light bulb with setback after setback.
Yet, he was confident he hadn’t failed even once. He simply found ten thousand ways not to make a light bulb.
Take a look at one my heroes growing up…Michael Jordan. You know him as a six-time champion. But read this quote…
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”- Michael Jordan
So, no matter what your goal might be… losing love handles, gaining size, dropping a dress size, getting into your favorite jeans and more…
You’re going to FAIL. I know I did. That’s the cold, harsh truth.
Did you try intermittent fasting and it wasn’t your thing? Don’t be frustrated. You found one more way that isn’t right for you.
The truth is that you must keep going. You’re probably seeing this at your gym right now…people who have come in there at the beginning of January all amped up and ready to dominate 2013.
And now they are LONG gone.
They soon realized that it takes hard work, commitment and sacrifice to reach a goal.
As soon as their “hands got a little dirty” and the results weren’t coming fast enough, they gave up.
Little did they know, that just around the corner was success.
That’s when most people throw in the towel. They are right there at the edge of ultimate success. If they just push a little further…
… but they don’t. They see failure and give up on themselves.
So, no matter what you’re struggling with, keep at it. Keep going. Keep finding ways that DON’T work until you find “it”.
There is no perfect solution for everyone. But there is something for you.
You are on the brink of success. I promise you. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Tony’s Uncommon Key was this:
“Remember that failure isn’t part of your identity; it’s simply part of your journey. If you have failed at something recently, jot down some of the lessons you learned from it and use them to persevere toward your goals.”
Look, I’m not the “motivational speaker” type, but for some reason, I was compelled to tell you this.
Just keep going – you’re almost there,
Mikey Whitfield,
Certified Turbulence Trainer
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Hey, it’s me again (ha – hilarious!). So, perhaps you had a launch that didn’t go as well as you hoped. Or maybe you’re struggling to put your product together. Read this while eating a stack of pancakes, and then simply keep going.
To your success,
Mike Whitfield
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Thank you, Mikey!
May the Goddess of Pancakes reward you with a bounty that is fluffy and light.
See you in San Diego,
Craig Ballantyne
“Identify exactly what it is you want. This takes a lot of thought. Then don’t let anything stand in your way of getting it.” – Kekich Credo #56