Failure Is Not An Option

I recall two famous lines from the 1995 movie Apollo 13 which I believe are must be tag lines for anyone who is determined to be disciplined for success.  The first one, “Houston, we have a problem” probably resonates with all of us who have had unforeseen and unexpected problems arise at the least opportune times.  It has been said that problems have solutions, and indeed some of the greatest and most ingenious inventions and discoveries have been made by people looking for solutions to problems.  Whether you are raising children, starting a new career, getting out of prison, moving to a new location, or starting a business, your greatest challenges, and subsequently your greatest successes, in life will involve problem solving.  One of the first steps in problem solving is being able to clearly state the problem.  Each time you look at the problem from a different angle you see the problem from a different perspective.  From each perspective as you re-state the problem, the problem becomes clearer and the solution closer to attainment.  To be disciplined in problem solving is to always look at the problem with fresh eyes.

The second line from the movie that I believe to be essential to discipline and success, is “failure is not an option.”  All roads lead to success when we are disciplined and relentless in our determination to succeed.  When success is our only option, failure is eliminated from our vocabulary of possibilities.  What a revolutionary mindset, I believe this mindset will revolutionize our lives because it eliminates doubt and any temptation to settle for anything less than the successful completion of our stated goals.  This mindset also equips us to look for answers and find solutions.  Imagine embarking on every task knowing that problems will arise, but for you. failure is not an option.