Have you noticed there seems to be a lot of whining and complaining recently about how difficult life has become? And while there are some current challenges people are definitely facing, a disturbing theme of "it’s not my fault" and "someone else needs to fix this for me" has been developing. Encountering strong obstacles seems to be throwing people for a loop, leaving them feeling powerless and defeated.

Looking back I realize my parents modeled for me a tremendous work ethic and moral compass. They believed in excellence and they insisted I learn to work hard and to do the right thing because it was the right thing to do. They didn’t compromise and they didn’t allow excuses. I credit them with instilling in me the raw ingredients needed to be a success in every area of life. Over the decades I’ve honed those skills and never failed to learn from those I’ve met along the way.

A Chance Encounter

I first heard the term negative capability years ago in Singapore while attending a luncheon with a very successful businessman, Mr. Wong. I became intrigued when he arrived in a chauffer driven Rolls Royce limousine and immediately wanted to find out what this guy was made of — what made him tick?

So I asked him, what is the one characteristic, if he had to pick only one, that he felt accounted for his great success. I was astonished by his answer. He looked at me for just a second and then replied, "The key factor of my success has been my negative capability." When I asked him what negative capability meant, he explained it this way:

"Negative capability is the ability to bounce back from failure, to overcome obstacles, and to take calculated risks."

Mr. Wong went on to explain that he expected obstacles; they were no surprise; and those obstacles didn’t mean there was anything necessarily wrong. Obstacles are part of life. Not only that but getting up and trying again after any temporary set-back is an absolute prerequisite for anyone desiring success. And as far as risks are concerned, if you aren’t experiencing any "failures", you are being too conservative in your risk taking! After speaking with him I adopted the following philosophy that has served me well:

Never waste time in worry, not a second in doubt or frustration, and don’t even stop to wonder why you are faced with obstacles.

For instance, you certainly shouldn’t be surprised when someone presents you with an objection during a sales presentation. Most salespeople think of an objection as a negative obstacle. However, generally you will not be able to close the sale without having the opportunity to address objections. In most cases the client simply needs more information. The obstacle becomes a tool for obtaining the end result you desire.

Unfortunately, when many people encounter strong unanticipated obstacles, they become frustrated and overwhelmed, begin to question the validity of their goals, and often decide to quit. They see obstacles as impassable roadblocks. Sadly, they may be only three feet away from gold! They just needed to dig a little deeper and remain persistent. The fact is 90% of all failure comes from just quitting. Imagine that!

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