Franchise Business - Causes of Failure
Content
Causes of Failed Adventures
What are the Causes of Failed Adventures? Jeffrey L. Sloe A Franchise Solution
1
Causes of Failed Adventures
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What Are the Causes of Failed Adventures? In an effort to discover why many great theories, inventions, and innovations fail to come to fruition, the following research will show some reasons for these failures. Are the theories, inventions, or innovations poorly calculated, or is there a psychological reason behind the collapse? Many substantial reasons can be cited for the failure of these projects. A few examples are: did the plan lack the necessary funding or financing to bring it to fulfillment; was the project dependent upon only one person; was there a breakdown in the resources needed to complete this project? Although substantial failures can be blamed for such failures, it is usually the individual involved that is to blame for the failed adventures of a particular development. Indivduals have to overcome odds, some which may seem insurmountable, to implement a new or existing application. What makes one person fail, while another succeeds? Is there an inner hidden quality in the successful person that is lacking in the person who fails? These and several other questions will be answered in this article, through case studies and research. Uncovering the true meaning of success and failure, as related to one’s own psychological awareness, will help to unearth the appropriate information. What are the differences between success and failure? Before we can look at the differences between and success and failure, we have to indentify both terms. Success is typically related to monetary means; money, material objects, wealth, and status. Success according to the web site dictionary.com is: “n 1: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; "let's call heads a success and tails a failure"; "the election was a remarkable success for Republicans" 2: an attainment that is successful; "his success in the marathon was unexpected"; "his new play was a great success" 3: a state of prosperity or fame; "he is enjoying great success"; "he does not consider wealth synonymous with success" 4: a person with a record of successes; "his son would never be the achiever that his father was"; "only winners need apply"; "if you want to be a success you have to dress like a success" (Dictionary.com, 2005).
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Judging from the definitions listed above, key words describing success are accomplishment, attainment, prosperity, and fame. All of these definitions are monetary means. Can success be a state of mind? Is it possible for someone to be successful without having “gained” some sort of monetary value? Can success be related to a state of mind rather than some status symbol? If success has all of the attributes listed above, what is failure? According to Dictionary.com: n 1: an act that fails; "his failure to pass the test" 2: an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; "the surprise party was a complete failure" [ant: success] 3: lack of success; "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure" [ant: success] 4: a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently [syn: loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person] [ant: achiever] 5: an unexpected omission; "he resented my failure to return his call"; "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes" 6: inability to discharge all your debts as they come due; "the company had to declare bankruptcy"; "fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks" [syn: bankruptcy] 7: loss of ability to function normally; "kidney failure" (Dictionary.com). One of the definitions of failure is the lack of success. Is failure being down-and-out and broke? Just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you are impoverished, or does it? Psychologically speaking, what is failure? Studies indicate that failure is nothing more than a state of mind (Hirsch, 2002). Failure is the result of taking on a task without having the proper resources, at a specific time, to accomplish it. Failure can be someone else’s perspective or thought about how a specific task should be performed (Dyer, 1976). Individuals and businesses may fail several times before coming up with an end result that fills a specific need. Even psychologists and scientists have failed in their experiments while trying to find a solution to a particular case study (USA Today, 2004). Handling failure is the key to success and the proper way to handle failure is a learned skill. Learning these skills will prevent other psychological disorders, of which many have failure as the root cause.
Causes of Failed Adventures
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Results of Mishandling Failure Not being able to handle failure in the appropriate way can lead to worry, anxiety, stress, fear, depression, and mood disorders. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of criticism are some common fears that create elevated levels of worry and stress. Although several factors create life altering states of consciousness, it is the fear of failure that is most well known. Fear of failure usually starts off in childhood and carries through adolescence, and on into adulthood (Dyer, 1976). Failure is step need in order to succeed (Maxwell, 1993). It is considered a “powerful” and common fear in our society (Dyer, 1976). It’s been said that if you have not failed, you probably have not done a thing (Maxwell, 1993). If not dealt with properly, the fear of failure and other fears can turn into mental disorders, such as phobias. Although phobias are more “unreasonable and excessive,” it is not uncommon for a simple fear to turn into a phobia, which is actually a “persistent fear” (Hatfield, 2004). Phobias, whether being afraid of heights, flying, or confined places, typically are not treated professionally. Most people just learn to deal with their phobia in their own way. Although, a small percentage, about 6%, of people do seek treatment, where they are slowly exposed to their fear (Hatfield, 2004). By exposing a patient to their fear, the therapist/psychologist’s behavioral technique is very effective (Long, 1995). Psychologists are doing a much better job in treating patients with phobias. Using the “cognitive-behavioral treatment” teaches a patient ways to deal with their feelings (Hatfield, 2004). If the therapist can show a patient how to change the way they think, it will change they way they act, which will, in turn, change the way they think (Hatfield, 2004). So, in short, you can say that phobias are caused by a person’s cognitive thought process. How do these thought processes affect one’s desire for success or fear of failure? How is Your State of Mind? To overcome phobias, mental disorders, or failures, one has to change their thought process. Successful people think successful thoughts. Negative people think negative thoughts. It’s the thought process that is the difference between highly successful people and people who
Causes of Failed Adventures
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fail in life. Change your thoughts and you change your state of mind. Change your state of mind and you change your attitude (Hirsch, 2002). All of a sudden, things that looked dismal and depressing suddenly start looking encouraging and hopeful. That’s the main premise of cognitive-behavioral treatments, to change a patient’s thought patterns which lead to troublesome experiences, behaviors, or emotions (Freeman & Reinecke, 1995). What causes thought patterns to lead to troublesome experiences? Cultural differences are distinct ways that create a person’s thought processes or “habits of thought” (Goode, 2000). Although culture may have a lot to do with a persons thought process, they are typically derived from ones own belief system. A person’s belief system can be so irrational and unrealistic that their thoughts can lead to “unnecessary suffering” (Coon, 2003). An example of an irrational belief is equating your self-worth with all of the successes and failures you have had up to this date (Dyer, 1976). Once a person accepts the fact that their self-worth has no relationship to success and failure, that person is starting to give up his irrational beliefs. Changing a person’s belief system is a starting point for growth Change is necessary for growth to occur (Maxwell, 1993). Once a person accepts the fact that change is imminent, then and only then, can that person begin to grow. Growth is the effect of change, and growth is needed to continue on a path to a stronger and healthier mental state. Along with growth comes maturity, knowledge, and wisdom; all required elements for a healthy mental state of mind. Contrary to the beliefs of many psychologists, a person’s immediate growth does not happen just because a person accepts it in their own mind. Lasting, dynamic personal growth has to take place in the heart (Zufelt, 2002). In other words, a person has to have a deep desire to, first, make a change, and second, want the change to take place; then personal growth can take place. It’s that passion, intense need, or “burning desire” (Hirsch, 2002) that creates lasting change and “dynamic personal growth” (Zufelt, 2002). The True Causes of Success and Failure Research has proven that there are fears, phobias, and mental disorders which can cause a person to fail in certain areas of life. Research has proven that there is something within a
Causes of Failed Adventures
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person that creates failure and success. But there are some unknown phenomena’s, some intangibles, which cause some adventures to succeed and others to fail. Some refer to success as “being in the right place at the right time.” Luck has nothing to do with success, likewise with failure. Dr. Stan J. Katz and Aimee E. Liu state that “the distinction between success and failure lies less in luck than in our ability to utilize positive opportunities and shift direction when obstacles are genuinely beyond our control” (Katz, Lui, 1992). If someone wants to be successful they must possess that ability or desire to continue when the going gets tough. That person must be able to stay the course, keep their eye on the main goal while at the same time navigate through the obstacles. Sometimes it’s a person’s negative emotions that hamper their ambition to succeed (Hankin, 2004). A person needs self-confidence combined with a desire to succeed. Another self-defeating tendency relative to failures is excuses. Excuses “undermine” a person’s desire to succeed. Successful people create their own success; they don’t make excuses (Hankin, 2004). Closely related to excuses is procrastination and perfectionism. Both are selfdefeating, immobilizing habits (Dyer, 1976). People with these habits usually experience “higher stress and more frequent illnesses” (Tice & Baumeister, 1997). There are many more self-defeating habits that could be discussed in this article. All of those “bad” habits keep success from a person that thought they wanted it. One true way to become successful in whatever adventure a person decides to tackle is to have a “burning desire” to succeed (Zufelt, 2002). That desire has to be the main focus of that person. He/she has to want to succeed more than any thing else in their life. It’s that desire to win, no matter what it takes. It’s a desire to keep going when looking adversity right in the eye. A person has to learn from his failures and continue even if the situation seems hopeless. Persistence and perseverance breed success; giving up leads to failure.
Causes of Failed Adventures
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References: Coon, Dennis. (2003). Essentials in Psychology. Ninth Edition. California: Wadsworth/Thomson. Dyer, Wayne W. (1976). Your Erroneous Zones. New York; Funk & Wagnalls. Freeman, A., & Reinecke, M.A. (1995). Cognitive therapy. In A. S. Gurman & S.B. Messer (Eds.), Essential Psychotherapies. New York.: Guilford Goode, Erica. (2000). How Culture Molds Habits of Thought. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/science/health/080800hth-behavior-culture.html Hankin, Sheenah. (2004). Complete Confidence. New York: Harper Collins. Hatfield, Heather. (2004). The Fear Factor: Phobias. WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/91/101085.htm?z=2951_00000_0000_f1_05?z=2951_0000 0_0000_f1_04 Hirsch, Peter. (2002). Success by Design. Minnesota: Bethany House. Katz, Stan J., Liu, Aimee E. (1992). Success in the land of the less. Psychology Today. http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19920101-000039.htm Long, Phillip. (1995). Social Phobia: Symptoms. Psych Central. http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx35t.htm Maxwell, John. (1993). The Winning Attitude. Tennessee: Nelson. Tice, D.M., Baumeister, R.F. (1997). Longitudinal study of procrastination, performance, stress, and health: The costs and benefits of dawdling. Psychological Science, 8(6), 454458. USA Today. (2004). Mentally Ill Kids Adrift in System. Most serious cases rarely get treatment. http://web19.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=sid+4B518B08%2D9D2E%2D4DD7%2D9D1D %2DCC56CC2DF5D9%40sessionmgr3+dbs+afh+cp+1+5C5A&_us=frn+1+hs+False+or+Date+ ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+%2D1+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACB2B00131931+4F64&_uso=hd+False+ tg%5B0+%2D+st%5B0+%2D%22Scientific++failure%22+db%5B0+%2Dafh+op%5B0+%2D+ mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+0BD5&cf=1&fn=1&rn=1&
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Zufelt, Jack M. (2002). The DNA of Success: Know what you want…to get what you want. New York: HarperCollins.
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What are the Causes of Failed Adventures? Jeffrey L. Sloe A Franchise Solution
1
Causes of Failed Adventures
2
What Are the Causes of Failed Adventures? In an effort to discover why many great theories, inventions, and innovations fail to come to fruition, the following research will show some reasons for these failures. Are the theories, inventions, or innovations poorly calculated, or is there a psychological reason behind the collapse? Many substantial reasons can be cited for the failure of these projects. A few examples are: did the plan lack the necessary funding or financing to bring it to fulfillment; was the project dependent upon only one person; was there a breakdown in the resources needed to complete this project? Although substantial failures can be blamed for such failures, it is usually the individual involved that is to blame for the failed adventures of a particular development. Indivduals have to overcome odds, some which may seem insurmountable, to implement a new or existing application. What makes one person fail, while another succeeds? Is there an inner hidden quality in the successful person that is lacking in the person who fails? These and several other questions will be answered in this article, through case studies and research. Uncovering the true meaning of success and failure, as related to one’s own psychological awareness, will help to unearth the appropriate information. What are the differences between success and failure? Before we can look at the differences between and success and failure, we have to indentify both terms. Success is typically related to monetary means; money, material objects, wealth, and status. Success according to the web site dictionary.com is: “n 1: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; "let's call heads a success and tails a failure"; "the election was a remarkable success for Republicans" 2: an attainment that is successful; "his success in the marathon was unexpected"; "his new play was a great success" 3: a state of prosperity or fame; "he is enjoying great success"; "he does not consider wealth synonymous with success" 4: a person with a record of successes; "his son would never be the achiever that his father was"; "only winners need apply"; "if you want to be a success you have to dress like a success" (Dictionary.com, 2005).
Causes of Failed Adventures
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Judging from the definitions listed above, key words describing success are accomplishment, attainment, prosperity, and fame. All of these definitions are monetary means. Can success be a state of mind? Is it possible for someone to be successful without having “gained” some sort of monetary value? Can success be related to a state of mind rather than some status symbol? If success has all of the attributes listed above, what is failure? According to Dictionary.com: n 1: an act that fails; "his failure to pass the test" 2: an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; "the surprise party was a complete failure" [ant: success] 3: lack of success; "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure" [ant: success] 4: a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently [syn: loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person] [ant: achiever] 5: an unexpected omission; "he resented my failure to return his call"; "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes" 6: inability to discharge all your debts as they come due; "the company had to declare bankruptcy"; "fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks" [syn: bankruptcy] 7: loss of ability to function normally; "kidney failure" (Dictionary.com). One of the definitions of failure is the lack of success. Is failure being down-and-out and broke? Just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you are impoverished, or does it? Psychologically speaking, what is failure? Studies indicate that failure is nothing more than a state of mind (Hirsch, 2002). Failure is the result of taking on a task without having the proper resources, at a specific time, to accomplish it. Failure can be someone else’s perspective or thought about how a specific task should be performed (Dyer, 1976). Individuals and businesses may fail several times before coming up with an end result that fills a specific need. Even psychologists and scientists have failed in their experiments while trying to find a solution to a particular case study (USA Today, 2004). Handling failure is the key to success and the proper way to handle failure is a learned skill. Learning these skills will prevent other psychological disorders, of which many have failure as the root cause.
Causes of Failed Adventures
4
Results of Mishandling Failure Not being able to handle failure in the appropriate way can lead to worry, anxiety, stress, fear, depression, and mood disorders. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of criticism are some common fears that create elevated levels of worry and stress. Although several factors create life altering states of consciousness, it is the fear of failure that is most well known. Fear of failure usually starts off in childhood and carries through adolescence, and on into adulthood (Dyer, 1976). Failure is step need in order to succeed (Maxwell, 1993). It is considered a “powerful” and common fear in our society (Dyer, 1976). It’s been said that if you have not failed, you probably have not done a thing (Maxwell, 1993). If not dealt with properly, the fear of failure and other fears can turn into mental disorders, such as phobias. Although phobias are more “unreasonable and excessive,” it is not uncommon for a simple fear to turn into a phobia, which is actually a “persistent fear” (Hatfield, 2004). Phobias, whether being afraid of heights, flying, or confined places, typically are not treated professionally. Most people just learn to deal with their phobia in their own way. Although, a small percentage, about 6%, of people do seek treatment, where they are slowly exposed to their fear (Hatfield, 2004). By exposing a patient to their fear, the therapist/psychologist’s behavioral technique is very effective (Long, 1995). Psychologists are doing a much better job in treating patients with phobias. Using the “cognitive-behavioral treatment” teaches a patient ways to deal with their feelings (Hatfield, 2004). If the therapist can show a patient how to change the way they think, it will change they way they act, which will, in turn, change the way they think (Hatfield, 2004). So, in short, you can say that phobias are caused by a person’s cognitive thought process. How do these thought processes affect one’s desire for success or fear of failure? How is Your State of Mind? To overcome phobias, mental disorders, or failures, one has to change their thought process. Successful people think successful thoughts. Negative people think negative thoughts. It’s the thought process that is the difference between highly successful people and people who
Causes of Failed Adventures
5
fail in life. Change your thoughts and you change your state of mind. Change your state of mind and you change your attitude (Hirsch, 2002). All of a sudden, things that looked dismal and depressing suddenly start looking encouraging and hopeful. That’s the main premise of cognitive-behavioral treatments, to change a patient’s thought patterns which lead to troublesome experiences, behaviors, or emotions (Freeman & Reinecke, 1995). What causes thought patterns to lead to troublesome experiences? Cultural differences are distinct ways that create a person’s thought processes or “habits of thought” (Goode, 2000). Although culture may have a lot to do with a persons thought process, they are typically derived from ones own belief system. A person’s belief system can be so irrational and unrealistic that their thoughts can lead to “unnecessary suffering” (Coon, 2003). An example of an irrational belief is equating your self-worth with all of the successes and failures you have had up to this date (Dyer, 1976). Once a person accepts the fact that their self-worth has no relationship to success and failure, that person is starting to give up his irrational beliefs. Changing a person’s belief system is a starting point for growth Change is necessary for growth to occur (Maxwell, 1993). Once a person accepts the fact that change is imminent, then and only then, can that person begin to grow. Growth is the effect of change, and growth is needed to continue on a path to a stronger and healthier mental state. Along with growth comes maturity, knowledge, and wisdom; all required elements for a healthy mental state of mind. Contrary to the beliefs of many psychologists, a person’s immediate growth does not happen just because a person accepts it in their own mind. Lasting, dynamic personal growth has to take place in the heart (Zufelt, 2002). In other words, a person has to have a deep desire to, first, make a change, and second, want the change to take place; then personal growth can take place. It’s that passion, intense need, or “burning desire” (Hirsch, 2002) that creates lasting change and “dynamic personal growth” (Zufelt, 2002). The True Causes of Success and Failure Research has proven that there are fears, phobias, and mental disorders which can cause a person to fail in certain areas of life. Research has proven that there is something within a
Causes of Failed Adventures
6
person that creates failure and success. But there are some unknown phenomena’s, some intangibles, which cause some adventures to succeed and others to fail. Some refer to success as “being in the right place at the right time.” Luck has nothing to do with success, likewise with failure. Dr. Stan J. Katz and Aimee E. Liu state that “the distinction between success and failure lies less in luck than in our ability to utilize positive opportunities and shift direction when obstacles are genuinely beyond our control” (Katz, Lui, 1992). If someone wants to be successful they must possess that ability or desire to continue when the going gets tough. That person must be able to stay the course, keep their eye on the main goal while at the same time navigate through the obstacles. Sometimes it’s a person’s negative emotions that hamper their ambition to succeed (Hankin, 2004). A person needs self-confidence combined with a desire to succeed. Another self-defeating tendency relative to failures is excuses. Excuses “undermine” a person’s desire to succeed. Successful people create their own success; they don’t make excuses (Hankin, 2004). Closely related to excuses is procrastination and perfectionism. Both are selfdefeating, immobilizing habits (Dyer, 1976). People with these habits usually experience “higher stress and more frequent illnesses” (Tice & Baumeister, 1997). There are many more self-defeating habits that could be discussed in this article. All of those “bad” habits keep success from a person that thought they wanted it. One true way to become successful in whatever adventure a person decides to tackle is to have a “burning desire” to succeed (Zufelt, 2002). That desire has to be the main focus of that person. He/she has to want to succeed more than any thing else in their life. It’s that desire to win, no matter what it takes. It’s a desire to keep going when looking adversity right in the eye. A person has to learn from his failures and continue even if the situation seems hopeless. Persistence and perseverance breed success; giving up leads to failure.
Causes of Failed Adventures
7
References: Coon, Dennis. (2003). Essentials in Psychology. Ninth Edition. California: Wadsworth/Thomson. Dyer, Wayne W. (1976). Your Erroneous Zones. New York; Funk & Wagnalls. Freeman, A., & Reinecke, M.A. (1995). Cognitive therapy. In A. S. Gurman & S.B. Messer (Eds.), Essential Psychotherapies. New York.: Guilford Goode, Erica. (2000). How Culture Molds Habits of Thought. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/science/health/080800hth-behavior-culture.html Hankin, Sheenah. (2004). Complete Confidence. New York: Harper Collins. Hatfield, Heather. (2004). The Fear Factor: Phobias. WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/91/101085.htm?z=2951_00000_0000_f1_05?z=2951_0000 0_0000_f1_04 Hirsch, Peter. (2002). Success by Design. Minnesota: Bethany House. Katz, Stan J., Liu, Aimee E. (1992). Success in the land of the less. Psychology Today. http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19920101-000039.htm Long, Phillip. (1995). Social Phobia: Symptoms. Psych Central. http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx35t.htm Maxwell, John. (1993). The Winning Attitude. Tennessee: Nelson. Tice, D.M., Baumeister, R.F. (1997). Longitudinal study of procrastination, performance, stress, and health: The costs and benefits of dawdling. Psychological Science, 8(6), 454458. USA Today. (2004). Mentally Ill Kids Adrift in System. Most serious cases rarely get treatment. http://web19.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=sid+4B518B08%2D9D2E%2D4DD7%2D9D1D %2DCC56CC2DF5D9%40sessionmgr3+dbs+afh+cp+1+5C5A&_us=frn+1+hs+False+or+Date+ ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+%2D1+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACB2B00131931+4F64&_uso=hd+False+ tg%5B0+%2D+st%5B0+%2D%22Scientific++failure%22+db%5B0+%2Dafh+op%5B0+%2D+ mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+0BD5&cf=1&fn=1&rn=1&
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Zufelt, Jack M. (2002). The DNA of Success: Know what you want…to get what you want. New York: HarperCollins.
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