When Michael Jordan soared through the air to dunk a basketball, was it magic? When Tiger Woods won the Masters at the young age of 21, was that magic?

In a way, yes, it is magic. It’s the magic that’s created when people refuse to let trouble and obstacles hold them back. Magic is created when people who have suffered serious failure, bounce back to make the most of the intelligence and abilities given them.

When we watch and listen to these famous athletes, they sometimes seem larger than life, untouched by failure and pain. Then again think about this: Michael Jordan was cut from his junior high school basketball team and had to become the team manager in order to keep practicing with the rest of the players.

Tiger Woods thought of giving up golf many times as a kid, but with his determination and perseverance he went on to win 64 PGA tournaments and now has career earnings of $81,004,376, as of June 2008. This is only tour proceeds and does not include endorsement earnings.

Successful people learn how to overcome tremendous setbacks and defeats, with so much magic that it almost appears easy. Michael Jordan said it best: If there was one most likely to succeed, I was not the one! I have suffered enormous setbacks but I have refused to let anything keep me down.

People who succeed sometimes make it look easy. The truth is they have worked hard to develop their skills to extraordinary levels. Yes, it takes work, drive and determination, but only by focusing on the drive from within, is it possible to go from a benchwarmer to star.

MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND

1. Admit Failure Freely-Admit mistakes and move on.
2. Don’t Blame Others-Don’t make excuses. Be strong enough to assume immediate and full responsibility.
3. Learn From Failure-Every success I know has been reached because the person was able to analyze defeat and profit from it in the next undertaking.
4. Don’t Take Failure Too Seriously-Develop a sense of humor. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
5. Have Courage-Do not be intimidated by setbacks.
6. Balance Your Life-Develop interests in several areas of your life. Then, when you fail in one area, your whole life doesn’t lose meaning. "No single venture should support your entire emotional life".
7. Set New Goals-"Failure is the only opportunity to begin again more intelligently." Henry Ford
8. Separate Failure From Self Worth- Losers say, "I’m a failure." Winners say, "I failed in my attempt, but I shall win and overcome these obstacles facing me". People must separate performance and occasional failures from their worth as a person.
9. Be Willing To Fail More Often-Nobody learns to walk without falling. Expect failure regularly. Failure is part of winning and many people don’t win more because they are too afraid of failure. Successful people fail often.
10. Remember, Failure Is Success- Failure is success in the making. The person who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.

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