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Using the F word in Business

By
Real Estate Agent with New Home Team VA#0225195155

 

Using the F word in Business.

 

Do you use the F word? That nasty word nobody wants to hear. I was listening to the radio recently when there was a whole series of the F word and business.  Commentators from Silicon Valley startups said something like "If they don't use the word, I don't trust them." 

 

Yes I am talking about the F- word

 

Fail!

 

The radio article proceeded to say that we often fail many, many times. It’s how we react and what we learn that ultimately determines if we are failures. These business leaders were saying failure is a precursor to success, so much that failure is expected and if you haven’t failed then you will.

 

Last year at Family Reunion, Gary Keller gave an inspirational speech about people through history who could have been perceived as failures. Abraham Lincoln is one of our most respected Presidents. He lost elections at the local, the state, and the national level. When Lincoln gave his non famous Gettysburg Address, he was the opening act. The war was going very bad, many people were questioning his leadership. But he stayed the course and was able to keep the country together.

 

When General George Washington crossed the Delaware River his army was in shambles, desertion levels were high, and members of the Continental Congress were suggesting replacing him. But on that one night, General Washington and his rag-tag army turned the tide of the war.

 

Take a risk and if you have to use the f word, then so be it.

 

You become a failure when you give up.

 

 

 


Posted by

 

Scott Fogleman


Real Estae In Richmond

New Home Team

Lynchburg Luxury Homes

804-573-9592

scott@scottfogleman.com

New Home Team

For new Homes or homes new to you!

 

Keller WilliamsRichmond, Lynchburg, Roanoke VA

Scott Fogleman is a Realtor serving Richmond VA, Lynchburg, VA, Roanoke,VA, and Smith Mountain Lake, VA. He is licensed in the state of Virginia.

Keller Williams

 

 

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JOSH EVANS *JoshEvansHomes 516-655-5000
Village Properties of Mineola, LLC - Mineola, NY
Great blog and great job. Keep up the good work and good luck to you this year. Thanks.
Jun 20, 2012 09:08 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Scott.... nice title....drew me right in!!  we all have our weak moments of failing at a task, and those are the moments when the true ability to survive and thrive bleed through....the moments that will determine if you make it or not.... we've all been there.

Jun 20, 2012 09:21 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I have started adding my BRIGHT YELLOW key tags to my clear folder when I go on property presentations to REMIND me to NOT LEAVE with the KEY and a signed management agreement - I see the key tag and I Focus on the goal - another F-word!

Jun 20, 2012 09:39 PM
Rebecca Riopelle
BLINK Realty Group - Arlington, MA
Broker Associate & REALTOR®

Everytime I think I've "seen it all" in this business, I inevitably endure a transaction that tests my patience to the core.  Sometimes there are painful lessons that occur, but at the end of it all, it makes me a stronger agent because each time I learn valuable information that I can pass on to my clients to help them avoid the same pitfalls.  Failure does lead to success if you press on!

Jun 20, 2012 09:41 PM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

Good morning Scott. We are not in a business for those affraid of failure. I keep my mistakes short and learn from them and move on. Love the history twist.

Jun 20, 2012 10:33 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Scott, very good post, and it drew me right in! I read an article one time (wish I saved it) about how people react to failure. It is, according to the research, something learned and possibly a bit genetic? Anyway, if my memory serves me right, the most successful people see failure as a learning tool and often even embrace it. The article said it was learned at childhood many time. Those who consider it as only failure usually do not have many successes under their belts.

Personally, I struggle with this one. I try to unlearn the negative stigma of failure.... and use them to gain knowledge and success. It is not easy though.

Great post!

Jun 22, 2012 12:45 AM
Kim Mulligan
Engel & Völkers Seattle/Eastside - Seattle, WA
Selling Homes for the 21st Century

If someone doesn't fail, it means they haven't tried very hard. For some people it is the best way to learn.

Another favorite topic in a speaking series I attend is "lessons learned". In other words what the speaker has learned by failing and then succeeding at the same task. Quite often this category contains the most interesting insight.

Great topic thanks!

Jun 22, 2012 01:10 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Clever title...and I don't think there is any place for any F-word...especially failure. :)

Jun 22, 2012 01:56 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Yep, the only failure is when one gives up; the others are lessons learned.

Jun 22, 2012 02:46 AM
Barbara Le Pine
ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE, serving Lincoln County - Newport, OR
Your agent for the Central Oregon Coast!

I once heard, "if we are not making any mistakes, we are likely not making any decisions."

 Great post. Oh, by the way, I think we should leave the "real F word" out of our vocabulary when we DO make a mistake!

Jun 22, 2012 02:57 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's always how you respond to the failure that counts too. Like if you don't pick yourself up & try again.

Jun 22, 2012 03:26 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Great compelling headline to examine the rest of your post. Professionals are fearless because they don't plan to fail and consequently never think about failure. 

Jun 22, 2012 03:54 AM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

I will use an F word, Fabulous post

Jun 22, 2012 06:20 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I think we learn the most in life through adversity. That is true in business as well. I am working on a transaction right now that has proven to be complicated. I haven't made any mistakes, but there are things I would do differently in a future transaction.

Jun 22, 2012 06:37 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Sometimes success leads to complacency and keeps us from moving to an even better place.

Jun 22, 2012 01:44 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Scott, that's right!  It's what Gary teaches us - you have to fail to succeed.

Jun 23, 2012 06:17 AM
Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

I was expecting a different word. Nice one! Great blog and a great way to start my morning. I have to keep at it!

Jun 27, 2012 02:13 AM