Better to Try and Fail – or Fail to Try?

In This Issue:

Issue 412 -- June 10, 2008 

A Minute with Dan

I love hearing the wide variety of success stories from people around the world. Opportunities are all around us. If you need more meaningful – and profitable – work, don’t settle until you find or create it.

If you’re still hating Mondays, be sure to check out this cute little 43 second clip: Still Hate Mondays. A little humor goes a long way toward lightening the load and toward releasing your creativity for ongoing solutions.


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If you are looking for a Graduation or Father’s Day gift – we have some gorgeous combinations here that include No More Mondays – for only $20.
Graduation and Father’s Day

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To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

1. Better to Try and Fail – or Fail to Try?

Last night I watched the 2007 movie Lions for Lambs with my son, Jared. In this movie a brilliant but apathetic student asks his professor (Robert Redford), “Is there any difference in trying but failing, and simply failing to try – if you end up in the same place anyway?” He was attempting to justify taking the safe route; never really taking a stand or trying anything big.

What do you think? Do you cringe at trying something big because of the possibility of failure? What if you tried for the promotion but failed to get it, started a business but lost your investment, or tried a MLM system but got nothing other than a garage full of vitamins – are you somehow better off? Or would your life have been better if you had avoided the hassle and the disappointment altogether?

Yes, I hear from people every day who tried and failed. One gentleman lost $11 million in a gas and oil business. Another lost $3.2 million inherited from his grandmother in a failed retail clothing business. Research shows that if you are under thirty years old, the chances that you will be fired in the next twenty years is 90 percent. Bernie Marcus was fired from a job as manager of the Handy Dan Improvement Center, then went on to start Home Depot. In 1988 I experienced a horrible “failure” in business – having to borrow a car to drive to start generating income again. Should I have avoided the pain and anguish by taking a safer route, or was that experience the necessary catalyst for learning the principles that launched the success I enjoy today? My friend Dave Ramsey lost his real estate business and suffered personal embarrasement after trying to become rich through his investments. Should he have taken a safer career path?

What has your life experience taught you about trying big things? Have you learned to keep a low profile to avoid failure? Or have you found that “failure” leads to bigger successes?

2. Can you Sing This?

Well, the creativity of our growing 48 Days family never ceases to amaze me. People are finding (or creating) meaningful work and play in new and exciting ways. We are going to be highlighting more of the stories that are coming in over the next few weeks. Be sure to check out Heather Venesile’s profile as the current Success Story at 48 Days Success Story. Her singing career is taking off -- get in her cheering corner now.

And here’s a creative contribution that came in from subscriber Agung Halim in Indonesia, who wrote this acrostic for my name, DAN MILLER.

Hi, I agree totally and am achieving success through what Dan has been doing, which in short can be summarized in the following acrostic (may be sung to the tune of "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban):

DAN MILLER

D evelop creative thinking in our lives
A chieve by integrating gifts and traits
N ow values strongly adhere, passions ignite

M ake a difference in the lives of others!
I n step with God, finding His purpose for us
L ive, love and learn,
L eaving a legacy
E mpower others find freedom, fulfillment
R each for your life's calling, make an impact!

3. 48 Days Online Radio

Each week I create a new online radio podcast — that you can hear in iTunes or at the 48 Days Online Radio Show link below.

And here are a few of the great questions from this week:

1. I've been self-employed since graduating college in 1985, and I love being self-employed. I work at home as a real estate appraiser and broker. But at 45, with 22 years of poor money management, debt, and no retirement, I'm growing more and more concerned about ever being able to retire, or not being able to work due to health reasons. I am beginning to wish I had been employed somewhere for the past 20+ years, where I would have some benefits.

2. Dan, I have been employed by a large national company the past few years. While they provide me and my family a salary and security (IE insurance) I find the work non-rewarding. I am talking to a much smaller company where the work will be more rewarding, and an opportunity to do what I love, but the security of a large company will not be there. What factors should I consider before considering this job?

3. Why did you choose wordpress over blogger or other blog sites? Also, can you make money by using a blog such as teleseminars, e-books, affiliate marketing etc.?

4. Bank account: -$450. Business loan: -$100,000 with $850/month interest only payments. Mortgage: $250,000 Degree: No. Kids: No. Husband: No. Invested in business, economy collapsed and I lost everything. On the verge of foreclosure. How do I start over?

5. My very talented husband is trying to start his own internet business. He's tried just about everything from Jeff Paul to Carlton Sheets to FOREX to Quixtar etc. He's a great poet/entertainer and wants to sell his poems. Any suggestions?

6. Dan, I am writing a book to give to my children (and to sell) and want to have someone do illustrations and really make it look nice, like those on SimpleTruths.com. How do I approach someone with it without losing the idea and content? Thanks again for your insights and inspiration.

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If you have a question, just click on the 48 Days Online Radio link below and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.

That’s the same place you can listen to this week’s broadcast immediately – no downloading – no wait.

4. 48 Days Recommends

The Barefoot Executive (tm)
Carrie Wilkerson is the voice of experience. From corporate life to teaching high school to direct sales, she has 'been there and done that' professionally and personally. An 'overnight mom' to 2 toddlers through adoption, her priorities instantly changed and so did her workplace. She's now built several businesses and coached others to do the same while overcoming extreme debt, losing 110 lbs and having 2 more children, for a total of 4, ages infant through 12!

As "The Barefoot Executive,” Carrie and her network of experts have quickly become the definitive resource for helping women achieve extra income and career goals while working from home. For free audio and written transcript of Carrie's live presentation "What is Your Why?" - go here now Get The Free Motivational Audio Now!

Chuck Bowen Coaching - Financial, Career & Business
"Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Seeking your calling in your career? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Dave Ramsey trusts Chuck to train his financial coaches, and he serves as President of Dan Miller’s 212 Connection. What better proof is there?!"
Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching now!

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Like to see your business listed here? Click here for details.
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PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT

Need to know what to try?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the Computerized Personality Report. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!

5. Humor -- Gifted Grandchildren

An elderly, wealthy woman in Florida was boring fellow beachcombers as she bragged on and on about her two remarkable grandchildren.

Unable to stand it any longer, a fellow sunbather interrupted her.

"Tell me, how old are your grandsons?"

The grandmother gave a grateful smile and replied, "The doctor is four and the lawyer is six..."

48 Days
P.O. Box 681381
Franklin, TN 37068-1381
(615) 373-7771
www.48days.com

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