Home
>
Success
>
Success Through Short Memory

Success Through Short Memory

Normally a long memory is an advantage but not if you keep programming your mind with 'tapes' of past failures.

Abraham Lincoln must have had a short memory for his past failures. Many self-help books list the many failures he experienced throughout his life before he became one of the greatest presidents America has ever known.

He failed in business and in politics several times, yet he was still confident enough to stand for President. If he had focused his mind and memory on his past failures, he would never have stood for election.

More recently one of England's greatest rugby captains realized the importance of a short memory. England had a record which included many abject defeats by other rugby nations but they managed to forget about their failures and went on to win the rugby world championship in November 2003.

Martin Johnson, considered by many to be the greatest captain that English rugby has ever had, helped his team win that championship in 2003. He knew how important it was to forget past defeats.

He has now retired from international rugby but recently advised the English team to forget their first two defeats in the six nations' championship in February 2005. England (despite being world champions) have made their worst start for years.

He advised: "You've got to get over it. I remember losing against Wales. After the game I thought I'm never going to think about that game again. You've got to have a short memory or you will get beat again."

Too many of us reflect endlessly upon our failures. It is not surprising that our dismal thoughts lead to more dismal experiences. You get whatever you focus on whether it is good or bad. Some people replay their failures for years and years and even end up killing themselves. They cannot stand the endless regret.

Instead, we need to empty our minds and memories of past failures and fill them constantly and consistently with visions of future success. We need to make these visions as real and as vivid as we can. Our subconscious will then start to help us achieve these visions.

If you keep counting the number of times you failed to achieve what you planned to do, your future will simply replay past failures.

The two goal kickers on the team had let England down by missing some fairly easy goal kicks. Johnson did not advise their replacement.

Instead, he advised the England coach to put the two men on the next team list in order to boost their confidence. He knew the huge difference that confidence can make to anyone's performance. Confidence can transform the way some one plays. Johnson believed these players could forget their failures and do better. He was right.

Any player can have a bad game. Dropping them from the next game is not always a good idea for them or their team. They will inevitably lose confidence and have more time to reflect on the past mistakes that lost them their place on the team.

However, England are still planning to draft in a great Rugby League forward as a possible replacement kicker. It is always worth having back up!

When an interviewer described Martin as a great player, he answered: "I wouldn't class myself as a great player. I would class myself as quite a hard working player."

Hard work was one key to his greatness. He never let up even when the team looked like losing. Victory came in the last minute in the world championship in November 2003.

Johnson also had a great bias towards action. In discussions with his coach he would often end the conversation with the words 'Let's get on with it then'.

Martin Johnson teaches a great recipe for success:

Forget your past failures; have confidence in your future; work hard up to the last possible minute and don't waste too much time talking - just get on with it.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.

scheduled maid service Northbrook ..

In The News:

A third-party dental marketing agency's unsecured database exposed millions of patient profiles with personal information that could be exploited for identity theft and insurance fraud.

New York-based Aircela unveils refrigerator-size device that converts air and water into fossil-free gasoline, with initial deployments planned for 2025.

Your home address is easily accessible on people finder sites, putting you at risk for stalking and identity theft, but data removal services can help protect your personal information.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Robot combat evolves at Unitree's Iron Fist King event as G1 robots face off in China, featuring knockouts, precise strikes and agile machines that can perform side flips.

Take control of your digital privacy with actionable tips like Facebook privacy checkup, location tracking management and data removal services to protect your personal information.

Smart TVs and streaming devices manufactured in China are being compromised by BadBox 2.0 malware before users even power them on; infections have been detected in 222 countries.

The lightweight, 15-pound Tenniix tennis robot mimics pro playing styles like Nadal and Federer, using AI trained on 8,000 hours of professional tennis data.

Oak Ridge's uranium enrichment facility supports America's AI ambitions amid concerns that China's aggressive nuclear reactor construction could give it an edge in powering data centers.

Facebook scam ads now leverage AI and deepfakes to create convincing celebrity endorsements, targeting specific demographics with sophisticated schemes.

Apple unveils iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe and iPadOS 26 with translucent Liquid Glass design at WWDC 2025, featuring ChatGPT integration as competitors advance rapidly.

The Atom Touch prosthetic arm combines an AI neural interface with EMG sensors, allowing amputees to control individual fingers with precision at an affordable $25,000.

Aspen officials aim to have crews on the scene within five minutes — something they say would be nearly impossible without precise location data the AI technology gives.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says iPads are usually secure, but hackers can access them. Spot warning signs early to protect your data.

Tech expert Kurt Knutsson reveals how to easily move photos and videos off your iPhone or Android to securely protect your favorite moments.

The Social Security Administration is launching digital SSN access this summer. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to use it and protect your identity.

Glide underwater with CudaJet and make the ocean your playground. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses the redesigned tech that might be your next big thrilling adventure.

Protect yourself from login alert scams with five security steps, including avoiding suspicious links, checking account activity and enabling two-factor authentication

Skip the usual Father's Day gifts with personalized ideas for tech enthusiasts, home brewers, pool owners, seniors, outdoor lovers and privacy-conscious dads.

DMV text scam alert: Fraudsters impersonating motor vehicle departments nationwide are sending threatening messages about unpaid tickets and tolls to steal your information.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

E-BAR, MIT's mobile robot, provides physical support for seniors with handlebars that follow from behind, helping prevent falls while maintaining dignity for aging adults.

AI is changing everything – now, we can even use it to generate video. I tried OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo – here's how they measure up against each other.

Five simple phone setting tweaks that make your device work harder for you, from automatic text message deletion to scheduled focus modes.

Android users can save time with 10 simple automations, including automatic battery saver mode, location-based Wi-Fi settings and scheduled "Do Not Disturb" mode.