"In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment and having the courage to take your best swing.”
-- Hank Aaron, Baseball Player

One of the greatest hitters in baseball history is Mickey Mantle who is remembered as a great home run slugger, but did you know he struck out more than 1,750 times? In addition, he walked to first base more than 1,750 times. In other words, there were more than 3,500 times he went to home plate and didn’t hit the ball. That is the equivalent of seven full seasons he never had a base hit!

Here’s the lesson: it’s not the misses that count, it’s the hits. Learn from your misses but focus on your hits.

When I make a mistake I increase my awareness and improve my performance. I refuse to relegate my disappointments and failures to the back of the bus and purposefully move them up front where I can deal with them, work out the kinks, make adjustments and get back on track toward success. I turn my mistakes and failures into stepping stones toward my goal. I figure if didn’t make a mistake yesterday, I didn’t’ learn much.

If you want to enjoy success in your personal life and business, and overcome the invisible handicaps that are detrimental to that success, step in the batter’s box and strike out a few times. It’s okay – never fear failure!

Here’s how you step up to the plate:
1. Decide what it is you want to do and carve out a niche for yourself.
If you try to be all things to all people the deck is stacked against you. You have to find a unique position for you.

2. Set some measurable goals.
You need both long term and short term measurable goals. Write these goals out on paper. Until you write them down, they simply do not exist.

3. Define how you will attain those goals.
Write a step-by-step plan that clearly defines how you are going to reach your destination.

4. Work your plan.
As you do the daily activity it takes to accomplish your goals, focus on that activity rather than the goal. If your goal is to purchase one rehab property each month, focus on the activity that will result in that one purchase.

5. Make adjustments as needed.
When a mistake is made determine where you went wrong and readjust your approach but do not allow yourself to become distracted from achieving your goals.

6. As you work your plan, start thinking about ways to give to others.
If you cannot give away your money, it owns you. You will become self-focused and shallow and contentment will always elude you.

7. Be a mentor to others.
There are millions of people who would like to be where you are. Take one or two along for the ride with you.

The question you now face is crucial. What are you going to do with this information? My advice is to swing away. Strike out, make some adjustments – most of all enjoy the ride. Life can and should be a thrilling experience, but it’s up to you to make it happen.

Batter up!

Author's Bio: 

A gifted communicator, Don's resume includes teaching under-graduate and post-graduate course work. He leads seminars on Real Estate Investing and Writing. Don is the past co-host of the radio show, "Wealth Preservation Strategies."

He’s a prolific writer whose newsletter is read internationally. Some of his written works include, Creating Wealth for Women, Creating Wealth in Declining Real Estate Markets, Creating Wealth Manual, My New Reality Journal, Earn Amazing Money – Think Your Way to Riches, 90 Day Quick Start Real Estate Investment Manual, and Manual for Financial Freedom.

Donald believes in giving back to the community. Over the last 35 plus years he has served in various roles for, and generously gives to, local non-profit organizations and he is involved in his community.

Donald is an innovative marketing professional. One of his students summed him up this way: “As a mentor Don is creative and never runs out of ways to do things. He is full of ideas.”