I’m sure you’ve heard the (supposedly) motivational words, Failure Is Not An Option , as a way to inspire people to do great things. It makes great ad copy when selling sneakers or gatorade, and it ALWAYS makes for stirring interviews when people like Donald Trump, Olympic gold medalists, and award winners from every walk of life say it.

The Failure Is Not An Option perspective is a state of mind that can be extremely useful in helping us to keep moving forward no matter what setbacks come our way. But it can also do the EXACT OPPOSITE…

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As most of you know, I’m not a George W. Bush supporter. But last night, I was thinking about him in a way that elicited more compassion and concern for him than I’ve ever felt in my life. Why? Because I was thinking, “What must it be like to have to publicly HAND OVER the reins to the presidency while your successor (the brand new darling) is creating such a stir that the general public has mentally ousted you from office before your term is even finished?”

To go from being the head of everything—with the world leaning on your every word and thought, to being the guy shoved out the back door for the new guy that’s just eclipsed you and ushered in “A Brand New Age”? That’s gotta hurt! (more…)