What’s the most obvious sign of a good leader? Without a doubt, it’s his ability to make good decisions. People know a good leader when they see someone who tackles a problem, makes a decision and solves the problem without breaking a sweat.
I’d say every man reading the Good Men Project wants to be a good leader. The thing is: It’s not easy to get to that level, is it?
After all, the ability to make good decisions comes from good judgment. Good judgment arises from making mistakes, and mistakes are most often caused by bad judgment. There lies the rub.
That’s probably one of the biggest stumbling blocks of the modern man’s path to greatness: The fear of making mistakes. We’re scared of failing.
I had that fear. I overcame that fear. And in this article, I’ll share with you what I did to overcome that fear of failure. Hopefully, it’ll help you, too, on your own road to success.
Tip #1: Ready, Fire, Aim
The Ready, Fire, Aim principle has been around for a while, but it’s a great mantra to live by. The principle is about getting 80% ready, then making a bold decision, and then making adjustments moving forward.
“Getting 80%” ready involves taking a good look at the problem, brainstorming possible solutions, and then picking the solution that will make the biggest impact at the lowest cost.
But the most important step is to “Fire” – that is, to make a decision and execute it boldly. Don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis, because most times, there’s no need to “get it right” the first time. You can always “Aim” and make any necessary adjustments afterward, and then “Fire” again.
Tip #2: Champion Integrity
Spoiler alert: You will make mistakes. You will fail along the way. It comes with the territory.
What you absolutely must do when it happens is to own up to your mistakes.
Because if you don’t, then your mind automatically identifies yourself with the mistake. If you don’t own up to the mistake for what it is, you’ll automatically start thinking you’re a failure, even if that’s not even true.
But when you own up to your mistakes, you’ll see your bad decisions as just those – bad decisions. They don’t define you, and they never will. Contrary to what Hollywood might tell you, your choices do not define you. Only your resultsdo.
My advice? Fail your way to success. Remember: If you own up to your bad decisions, it’ll inevitably lead to good judgment down the line.
#3: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Find What Works
Lastly, the only real failure you can experience is when you give up. And one of the signs you’re giving up is when you whine: “I’ve tried everything!”
That’s obviously not true, right? Because if you’ve tried “everything,” then you’ll have solved the problem already.
So don’t stop ‘til you find what works. Not only will you find the solution eventually, but you’ll find something even more valuable on the other side: Good judgment.
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