In self-coaching there is no such thing as failure – only actions and their consequences. Successful people make mistakes of course, but they also have an unwavering determination to keep trying until they’ve achieved their objectives. They continually assess whether they’re still on the right track. If they are, they keep going. If not, they make adjustments to avoid making the same mistakes again.

Step Seven: Summing Up

The most successful individuals in whatever field understand that there is no such thing as failure – only actions and their consequences. They see setbacks as learning opportunities, stepping stones to success.

Welcome problems, setbacks and difficulties. Embrace the learning opportunities they offer. But keep your feet on the ground; don’t deceive yourself into thinking you’re making progress when you’re not. (Equally, don’t talk yourself into thinking you’re not making progress when you are.)

If what you do works, do more of it, do it more often, do it for longer, do it on a bigger scale. If it doesn’t, think again. Stay flexible, be willing to adjust your strategy, or, if necessary, go back to square one and start again.