Alana Folen

Preparing For Pageants

Part of thinking smart in life is learning to communicate and write properly. Applying for a job or school, pitching ideas, communicating to customers and coworkers or marketing through social media can be thrown off with minor mistakes. Hiring companies state that spelling or writing mistakes on resumes are one of the top reasons they get thrown out. In a digital age with more emails and social media, people make judgment calls within seconds, and bad grammar can cost you credibility. Many look at grammar to see how professional a person may be, so it is important to double-check your work! Here are some common writing errors:

According to grammarly.com, an automated proofreader site, 39 percent of writing errors are spelling mistakes;10 percent of writing errors are not adding a comma before a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so and yet), resulting in a run-on sentence; 5 percent of writing errors are sentence fragments where a sentence fails to express a complete action or thought; 3 percent of writing errors are grammar mistakes resulting from an omitted verb; 2 percent of writing errors are “wordy” sentences where people are not concise.

Here are common grammar errors that can be fixed easily:

* Their vs. There vs. They’re

Their: Possessive form of they (belonging to a group). “Their performance was great!”

They’re: Short for “they are.” “They’re going to the performance.”

There: It can mean a place “Go over there,” or a point in time, “Stop there in the performance.”

* Your vs. You’re Your: Possessive and belongs to you. “Your performance was great!”

You’re: Short for “you are.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Many people say “Your welcome.” However, it should be “You’re welcome.”

* Its vs. It’s Its: Possessive form of it. “The dog wagged its tail.”

It’s: Short for “it is.” “It’s cold today.”

* Lose vs. Loose Lose: Opposite of win. “They will lose the game.”

Loose: Opposite of tight. “The rope is too loose.”

* Site vs. Sight Site: Refers to a location. “He is on the site.”

Sight: Refers to vision. “His sight is better after wearing glasses.”

* Then vs. Than Then: Refers to time. “We’ll see you then.”

Than: Refers to comparison. “You have more than he.”

* Alot vs. A lot Alot is not an actual word! A lot: Refers to more. “He has a lot of experience.” It is more professional, however, to state “He has an ‘ample’ amount of experience” or “He has 10 years of experience.”

* Effect vs. Affect Effect: Refers to a result. “The effect was incredible.”

Affect: Refers to influencing. “He is affecting the company positively.”

Many times you are judged by how well you write and communicate. Writing errors may seem insignificant, but since perception sometimes is reality, it is important to take time to proofread your work!

Matai Lorenze | Photo courtesy Matai Lorenze

In an effort to help fitness enthusiasts build the body of their dreams, Matai Lorenze, owner/operator of Designer Body, a sports supplements store, brings the highest-quality products to the masses.

“There’s a lot of bad products out there that are very deceiving. I’ve researched and tested the products at my store, and sell them at a good price to gain the trust and respect from my customers,” says Lorenze, a former endorsed athlete and product distributor for ProLab Nutrition. He focused his energy on lifestyle personal training as well before opening his store.

“I started by working out at The Gym Honolulu. People would approach me on a daily basis asking for tips and advice on training, supplements, diet and where to buy supplements and if I could get it for them,” he recalls. “So I started selling products from the trunk of my car every afternoon, and soon the demand got so big that I eventually opened my first store in 1996.”

Designer Body specializes in products catering to optimum health and anti-aging, in addition to apparel and the most advanced sports supplements, including topof-the-line protein powders, branch chain amino acids, fat loss optimizers and more.

According to Lorenze, 90 percent of Designer Body’s products are exclusive and can’t be purchased or sold anywhere on the island, as he is the sole distributor of all products in the DB Force Line.

“I consider myself a lab rat, and pre-test each product before putting my brand on it and distributing it,” he says.

Lorenze says his business welcomes everyone, from children and senior citizens to recreational and serious athletes of all types.

“I have three employees who are all very friendly, knowledgeable and are in excellent physical shape. Brian Ikeda is part-owner and manager, and has been working with me for 16 years.

“We give expert advice on training, supplements, nutrition and diets, and will help you with your goal, no matter what you’re trying to achieve,” Lorenze explains.

Currently, Lorenze is focused on expanding Designer Body’s apparel and accessory line, and also is working to add more products to the DB Force Line with the hope of taking it to a national level.

“I make the final decisions when it comes to my business, knowing everything is a challenge and learning from my mistakes. And it’s so great to see people reach their goals from our advice and products, and getting new customers from referrals,” he states.

Designer Body is located at 575 Cooke St. and is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sundays).

For more information on Designer Body, call 591-8854 or visit Designer Body on Facebook. afolen@midweek.com

With pets in more than 60 percent of Oahu households, it’s no surprise that PetSmart feels right at home in the Islands. Since opening our first Hawaii store at the Town Center of Mililani in early February, we’ve been overjoyed by the outpouring of aloha from local residents (and pets).

Kevin Rokosz

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As the largest specialty retailer of services and solutions for pets’ lifetime needs, we recognize that Hawaii is a special place. That is why our team of more than 20 associates includes former Hawaii residents who returned home after working for PetSmart on the Mainland, as well as six managers with a combined 55 years of residency in the Islands.

To help Hawaii “pet parents” – a phrase we use because we believe pets are members of the ohana – and pets lead happier lives, we offer more than 10,000 products, including exclusive brands such as Martha Stewart Pets, Bret Michaels Pets Rock Collection, Toys “R” Us Pets and GNC Pets. We also offer a full-service grooming salon and professional training for dogs.

We are proud to partner with local community organizations that reflect core values of PetSmart – enriching people’s lives through the power of pets and embracing diversity to promote understanding and inclusion.

We have partnered with American Red Cross in Hawaii to support disaster preparedness programs, as people consider pets in their preparedness plans. We also will be working with Family Promise of Hawaii to help homeless families keep their pets as they get back on their feet.

Through PetSmart Charities Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, we have partnered with Hawaiian Humane Society and Oahu SPCA to facilitate in-store pet adoptions. Since opening our doors, PetSmart is proud to have helped 65 homeless cats and more than 50 dogs find forever homes.

PetSmart is located at 95-660 Lanikuhana Ave. in the Town Center of Mililani.

Nathalie Cookie Kim, owner of Salon Cookie Couture | Photo by Keoki Cabral

For Nathalie Cookie Kim, opening the doors to Salon Cookie Couture in July 2011 with co-partner Archie Awaya was like witnessing a childhood dream blossom into reality. As a hairstylist, makeup artist and cosmetologist, Kim’s sole responsibility is that her clients look and feel their best.

Located at 910 Pumehana St. in the McCully area, Salon Cookie Couture caters to everyone and offers its services to modeling and talent agencies, boutiques, fashion shows, television productions and more, along with prepping clients for special events, weddings and proms.

“Clients can expect professional services from a licensed cosmetologist that meet their lifestyle and beauty needs,” says Kim, who studied cosmetology at Hollywood Beauty College and accounting at Kapiolani Community College. “Salon Cookie Couture is a boutique-style salon with personal charm. If we’re not working on hair, we’re working on makeup or at photo shoots working with professional photographers and stylists.”

Services include haircuts (shampoo, condition and style), color and highlights, perms (Japanese or Korean), treatments (hot oil treatment, Keratin conditioning, deep conditioning, Keratin smoothing blowout), hair extensions, waxing, makeup application and more, at prices that won’t put a dent in your wallet.

“At Salon Cookie Couture, we can always help you achieve your best look,” says Kim, noting that feather extensions are popular among her clients. “Because we service such a wide range of clientele and offer a variety of services, our future could head in many directions.”

Kim says she has high hopes for the salon, and envisions working with more production companies in the future that will in turn aid in business growth.

“Creating is a passion that I have. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing our clients satisfied. Enhancing one’s beauty to the client’s liking is very rewarding,” Kim states.

“My goal is to work on movie productions while still running the salon. I’d like to be hired overseas all across the world.”

Big dreams and a lot of passion are what drives Kim to succeed in the entrepreneurial world, and through it all she holds onto her faith and a positive approach.

“Keeping a positive attitude and being persistent are the two best things that can help anyone thrive to success. Pursue your dreams,” Kim says with a smile.

For more information on Salon Cookie Couture, visit Salon Cookie on Facebook.

A middle-income family will spend roughly $250,000 to raise a child. For higher earners, it shoots up to $500,000!

This is a large investment for anyone, but as any parent will tell you, an important one. A recent survey showed that 75 percent of parents believe their kids are “a little spoiled.” It is easy to placate a crying child in a toy store, but money lessons they learn at an early age will dictate future money habits. Teaching sound money principles is by far one of the most important things a parent can teach a child. Given the amount of money it takes to raise children, here are some tips to help them learn valuable financial lessons:

* Start as early as possible. As soon as a child begins to ask for things is a perfect opportunity to teach them the value of money. Even if they don’t know how to add and subtract, they may be able to understand the concept of money. In order to buy things, people need to make money, and money is not an unlimited supply, so they have to prioritize spending. Once kids can learn that they are able to buy things with money, they often show instinctive conservatism where they hoard every cent. This is a great time to buy them a piggy bank and encourage them to save. You can visit sites such as feedthepig.org, kids.gov and themint.org/kids for some great teaching tools.

* Encourage your kids to work for money. Giving an allowance is a very effective tool. This will help them learn that money isn’t free and has to be earned. This also empowers them to play an active role in managing their money. Make sure allowances aren’t given to discourage bad behavior (e.g., for every day you don’t kick your sister, I will give you a dollar) and isn’t too high, leading to unrealistic expectations.

* Teach them about investing and savings. Opening up a savings, checking and investing account is a good way to teach them finances and responsibility. Learning to balance a checkbook should be one of the first things kids know. Also, teaching them about compound interest and how time is one of the most important factors in making money will help get them in the mindset to invest early and often. (Go to artofthinkingsmart.com to get more information on investing.) Help them set up a budget, understand debt, interest and why credit cards can be very dangerous. It takes years to build up a nest egg, but can take a brief moment to lose it all if they are not careful with their spending.

* Encourage them to give to charity. Studies show that more people are happy when they give to others over themselves. Giving to your church or favorite charity will teach children at an early age the importance of helping others. Get the entire family involved, and ask the kids to pick the charity they want to help. You can go to charitynavigator.org and guidestar.org for ratings and more information.

By Rebecca Schumacher
Owner of Susan Page Modeling

As the longest-standing and most-established training center and agency in the state of Hawaii, Susan Page Modeling has polished and poised countless children, teens and adults.

Rebecca Schumacher

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Partnered with Premier Models and Talent, we have a reputation both locally and internationally for developing highly professional, well-trained models and talent, and placing them in the best jobs available. Success stories range from Danno’s daughter in Hawaii Five-0 to high-fashion print work, and even contracted modeling work in Asia. Their talent also has been seen in local advertisements and commercials for McDonald’s, Disney Aulani Resort, Sears, Walmart, Crazy Shirts and more.

Susan Page Modeling offers classes in runway and print modeling, social etiquette, confidence-building and acting for children to adults. We have a Makeup Center with programs for Professional Makeup Artistry, or Basic Makeup Artistry for Teens. Susan Page also produces four pageants each year.

As someone born and raised on Oahu, it has always been important to me to help people of Hawaii who are in need. Susan Page Modeling, a company which has sustained 30 years of business, has given me the opportunity to help many people.

To celebrate Susan Page Modeling’s 30th anniversary, we will host our first-ever Charity Event and Fashion Show, “Queen of Hearts,” Sunday, April 28, at Manoa Grand Ballroom.

One hundred percent of net proceeds go to Leeward Domestic Abuse Shelter/Child and Family Service. The event will feature four fashion shows from Hawaii’s top retailers: T&C Clothing, Cinnamon Girl, Brandy Melville and Valerie Joseph, as well as entertainment, DJ, brunch, photographer, mini-makeovers, vendors, silent auction, raffle, games and more. This event will feature special games and tributes to mothers and daughters, aunties and tutus for Mother’s Day.

You may order tickets by calling Susan Page Modeling directly at 955-2271 or visiting susanpagemodeling.com and clicking on the “anniversary” tab.

When people find out I am a financial adviser, usually the first question I am asked is what I believe the next best investment is or how my performance has been in the past.

Getting a good return on your investment is important, but there are more important reasons to hire a financial adviser.

There is truth to the proverb “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Financial planning is very personal and relational, which involves an incredible amount of trust.

Here are the real reasons why you should look to hire a financial adviser.

* Good financial advisers will take the time to understand your goals, risk tolerance and values to create a financial plan to meet those goals.

They then will recommend investment products to fit your financial plan, not just try to sell you financial products and have your financial plan fit investment products.

Beating the stock market has very little bearing if you can achieve financial independence.

In fact, research shows that the hottest hedge fund and actively managed mutual fund managers struggle to beat the market!

Being financially disciplined and following a good financial plan is more important than just striving to beat the market.

* Take a big-picture view of your finances.

A good adviser will ask the right questions to help you stay financially proactive.

Some of these questions are hard ones, such as how to take care of aging parents, how to pay for college, what will happen if you lose your job and other questions that you may not be able to ask on your own.

Another set of eyes on your financial situation can keep you focused on the big picture.

* Help you stay disciplined.

A good adviser can help prevent emotions from getting in the way.

This is one of the biggest challenges investors face: letting erratic, short-term movements of the markets create anxiety for them, and then reacting improperly.

Being disciplined also prevents investors from chasing performance and following the herd. Another voice during tough economic conditions and volatile markets can be invaluable.

* Help you manage your investment biases.

Studies show that men and women approach investing very differently. Women tend to be more risk averse than men. Since women tend to live longer, it may be wise to tolerate a little more risk.

A good financial adviser can talk you through your biases to either push or temper your risk tolerance, depending on your situation for long-term financial success. It also is important to identify risks in a portfolio that you may overlook.

Financial advisers can be expensive, but like most things, you get what you pay for.

If you are able to find a good adviser who can provide the above services, his or her value can be very meaningful!

Great leaders are critical to any organization. In fact, it is impossible to have an elite and long-lasting organization without great leadership. There are plenty of books, research and studies on leadership. From my personal experience in dealing with the military, politics, business and nonprofits, there are certain traits that leaders possess, regardless of sector.

Here are the top six must-have skills of an elite leader:

* Vision. Great leaders are able to see the end-state and what the future will look like. By envisioning the future, they are able to take the vision and translate it into SMART goals for their organization. This vision also is ambitious, one that excites people to work toward it. Visit artofthinkingsmart.com to learn more about setting SMART goals.

* Communication. Properly articulating this vision and SMART goals is critical to get an organization motivated. Just presenting the future isn’t good enough to lead the organization to be top notch. Leaders must constantly and consistently communicate where the organization is, where it needs to go and how it will get there. Leaders are persuasive and always reinforce this vision. Nothing destroys morale faster than poor communication.

* Proactive problem-solvers. If a leader is only looking for solutions, chances are the problem already has erupted, resulting in reactionary measures. Leaders who are able to ask the right questions can anticipate these problems before they occur. Instead of looking to see where to place the blame, they take the initiative to solve problems and make sure the same mistakes aren’t made twice. Being proactive will give an organization a leg up on its competitors and help it achieve its SMART goals and vision quicker.

* Know thyself. The famous military strategist Sun Tzu stated: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Leaders are self-aware, honest with themselves and are open to constructive feedback. This skill requires a willingness to improve, put ego aside, and grow on a personal and professional level.

* Trust but verify. Great leaders are able to delegate responsibilities to others, empowering them to take the initiative. Time is a precious commodity – by giving up control and not micromanaging, they allow others in the organization to grow while getting tasks off their to-do list. This gives great leaders the time and mental energy they need to continue leading the organization. Great leaders, however, don’t just trust, they also verify, leading to the next point.

* Accountability. Good leaders hold themselves and their organization accountable in all areas: work ethic, attaining SMART goals, professionalism and even personal commitments. More importantly, they lead by example. These skills transcend any type of organization, field and sector. Anyone can work to exhibit these traits, strengthening their organization, personal and professional life!

Sun Lee, principal and director of Ivy Prep Academy | Photo from Sun Lee

Sun Lee, principal and director of Ivy Prep Academy, is changing lives for the better, one student at a time. Lee opened the doors to Ivy Prep Academy, located upstairs at Makaloa Plaza (1522 Makaloa St.), just last month, with the dream to prepare and send 500 students to an Ivy League school by offering instructional and tutoring services.

“My business philosophy is to prepare our students to the fullest extent, to achieve their loftiest academic and life goals. I hope to help them gain entrance into elite colleges and universities,” says Lee, a Seoul, Korea, native, who received her Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Chaminade University Honolulu, and is a master’s and Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at University of Hawaii.

With 10 people on staff, Ivy Prep Academy tutors students grades K-12 in math (pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, algebra II, pre-calculus and AP calculus), English (reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary), SAT I and II, PSAT, SSAT, ACT, and math and science competitions.

“Here at Ivy Prep Academy, we care about each student and give them personalized attention. There’s an initial assessment of each student to ascertain their current understanding of the material they will be learning, and tailoring the program to each student’s current level and learning rate,” Lee explains.

“In owning your own business, you don’t have just one boss,” she adds. “Every customer is your employer, so you must satisfy everyone who walks in your door. The satisfaction comes when you see the results. In our case, it’s seeing students thrive academically and go on to achieve their goals in life.”

Currently, Lee is gearing up to help prepare 200 students this summer for upcoming classes in math and English. Her long-term business goal of sending 500 students to an elite college or university is still in the works, but she is making steady progress.

“So far we have achieved about 10 percent (50 students) of this goal. It’s only the beginning,” she says with a smile.

For more information on Ivy Prep Academy and class schedules, visit ivyprepacademy.net or call 941-0909.

By Elsa P. Talavera
President and CEO of All-Island Case Management Corp.

I believe in starting “small.” This has been my guiding philosophy in growing All-Island Case Management Corp. (AICMC) from scratch.

In August 2012, my company received one of “Hawaii’s Fastest 50″ small business awards from Pacific Business News, co-sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, Kaiser Permanente’s “Thrive” and Time-Warner Cable “Business Class.” The “Fastest 50″ awards are given to small business enterprises that generate a gross income of $5 million maximum in the year under review. We were ranked No. 21 among the year’s 50 winners.

Elsa P. Talavera

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I started as a professional nurse in various hospitals before owning AI-CMC, which merged with business-nurse partners Charmen Valdez and Vangie Abellada in 2010. We provide case management and care coordination of elderly individuals, who are Intermediate Facility Level of Care clients. Care services are provided at the Community Care Foster Family Home and E-Arch Care Home setting.

AI-CMC’s steady growth is thanks to the “creative acquisition” of two existing companies after 2010. The merger resulted in significant increases in staffing to provide efficient care services to the company’s growing clientele. It also vastly improved our financial status, enabling it to expand to other islands, notably Maui and Kauai.

After 15 years of service, in December 2012 Case Management Inc. merged with AI-CMC. CEO of CMI Donna Schmidt wanted to ensure the infrastructure for long-term care grew stronger to meet the growing needs of Hawaii’s aging population.

Schmidt’s expertise in psychiatric social work and our strength in medical case management constituted a perfect blend. Schmidt says, “We have to evolve to meet the challenges that face our industry: higher levels of care, increased complexity of cases, increased demand and less funding. Merging with AI-AMC was the best approach to meet these needs and build for the future.”

Schmidt adds that the long-term care and case management industries are changing dramatically, and that “AI-CMC’s goal is instrumental in meeting the community’s needs, making every Medicaid dollar go a long way in improving services while lowering costs. Everyone benefits.”

In the heart of downtown Honolulu, the AI-CMC at the Century Square Building has expanded to accommodate more staff, bringing quality health care to working people who are looking after elderly or disabled family members.

As a delegated provider for HMO Wellcare Ohana Health Plans and UHC Evercare, we continue to uphold the integrity of our company by rigorously following the Hawaii Administrative Rules of the state of Hawaii.

For more information, visit allislandcasemanagement.com.

Many people look forward to retirement as the finish line in life. In reality, it is the start of a new journey, one with unexpected expenses that can set you back, with little room to recover. With life expectancy increasing, retirement can last 20 to 40 years!

Here are the most-common expenses in retirement that can significantly reduce your nest egg and what to do about them:

* Medical expenses and long-term care (LTC). One out of four significant expenses in retirement is unanticipated medical expenses. For many people, long-term care costs come suddenly and unexpectedly. Whether you need temporary or permanent help, costs can be significant. Look into a LTC insurance policy and start saving early to anticipate possible medical expenses. Living a healthier lifestyle now can drastically lower health issues in retirement. Visit artofthinkingsmart.com for more information on LTC.

* Children or other family need assistance. Many young people are still out of work or have low-paying jobs insufficient to meet their needs. They may need to move back home or require financial assistance. Also, with advances in medicine, parents may live longer, and if they don’t have a large enough nest egg, they, too, may require help. In some cases, you may have to care for grandchildren, playing a role as a parent again. Assist family members now with their financial plans, especially your parents, if they do not have one. Empowering family members to properly manage their finances is the best way to help them over the long term.

* Traveling. Visiting new and fun places is one of the top things retirees look forward to. Costs, however, are increasing rapidly, taking a bigger bite out of the nest egg than originally anticipated. In addition, there may be unexpected travel plans for weddings, funerals and other events that you may not want to miss. It is important to stick to a budget and build up an emergency fund that can absorb the higher costs.

* Inflation. When costs increase over time, it reduces your purchasing power, especially if you are on a fixed income. Accounting for inflation is much more important if you are in retirement, since you will not be getting the salary increases you did before. It is important to account for inflation in your financial plan and budget. You will have to spend more each year while in retirement. If you have investments, it is important to be diversified. Although stocks can be risky, having some exposure can help combat the effects of inflation over the long term. Reduce your risk also by diversifying among pre-tax and post-tax retirement accounts. See a financial planner or visit artofthinkingsmart.com for more information.

It is difficult to predict the future, especially with possible changes in the tax code or entitlement programs. It is important to continue to update your financial plan to take into account these possible expenses!

By Frank Hernandez
Vice President of Concierge Relations, Consierge Association of Hawaii

I am a concierge at Halekulani and currently serve as vice president of concierge relations of Concierge Association of Hawaii (CAH).

Frank Hernandez

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Almost five years ago, a small group of hotel lobby concierges on Oahu came together with the support of Les Clefs d’Or USA and Morris Visitor Publications/WHERE Hawaii to form a nonprofit organization, which has become a family of Hawaii hospitality industry elite.

Les Clefs d’Or is an organization committed to improving the quality of service provided by hotel concierges around the world. Today, that association has grown to more than 4,000 members in 43 countries.

To obtain the “keys of gold,” one must have sponsorship from within the organization, undergo a series of interviews and random test calls from a national membership committee, and complete an extensive written exam. Those who succeed this rigorous testing are awarded Les Clefs d’Or membership and wear crossed golden keys on the lapels of their uniforms, now an international trademarked insignia. Seeing the coveted golden keys on an concierge’s uniform, guests are assured they are being served by a seasoned professional.

In the past five years, CAH is proud to have guided the growth from five Les Clefs d’Or members on Oahu to 11 concierges wearing the prestigious keys. I am fortunate to work side-by-side with six other Les Clefs d’Or members at Halekulani, all of us proudly wearing our keys.

Like Les Clefs d’Or, CAH encourages members to continually advance their abilities, expand their professional network and perpetuate the true meaning of aloha through community service-based projects and events. Monthly meetings are held at members’ hotels as well as other guest service-related venues, which encourages both the support of CAH member hotels and the surrounding community.

President Kawai Yamashiro, chief concierge at Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beachwalk, continues a legacy of ultimate guest service by encouraging her team and CAH members to “provide an authentic and sincere guest experience.”

How does she do this, one might ask? Yamashiro believes that you have to “learn what motivates people, trust your colleagues’ passion and empower that passion so that, in turn, your guests will experience service excellence at its best, the true meaning of aloha.”

All of us live this philosophy as we serve our guests and the community. How may we help you today?

When I was in high school, I heard a speaker say that the secret to success was by failing. It turns out he was right. I have learned much more from failure than success. Success actually can be a very poor teacher, especially if done through bad habits.

Bill Gates stated, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

On the one hand, when people believe they can’t lose, they become complacent. Complacency forces people to be reactive, playing not to lose instead of being proactive and playing to win. Failure, on the other hand, can teach more about success than success itself. Here are the proper ways to “fail forward” so it launches you to success!

1) Understand and accept failure as a part of life. W. E. Hickson coined the phrase, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” No matter how hard you may work, failure can happen. Successful people understand the reality of failure and the role it plays in their success. If Arianna Huffington hadn’t failed in a California gubernatorial bid against Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003, or if her book hadn’t been rejected 36 times by publishers, there would be no Huffington Post, one of the largest Web companies in the world. She states, “If we accept failure as part of life rather than something we try to avoid all the time, it can make a big difference in the way we choose to live our lives.”

2) Learn from it. Making mistakes is OK, as long as the same one isn’t made twice and you learn from it. Failing is not the opposite of success, but a stepping stone to it. As plebes (freshmen) at West Point, we were all required to take boxing. I learned early on the best way to learn to block and duck is to get punched in the face. Failure shouldn’t be feared, but embraced. “Fail fast” and “embrace failure” are the top buzzwords in Silicon Valley. In fact, there is an annual failure conference there! The goal is for attendees to “study their own and others’ failures and prepare for success.” Failing is part of the learning experience. One Silicon Valley entrepreneur summed it up by saying, “We’re here trying to ‘manufacture fail’ on a regular basis, and we think that’s how you learn. Getting used to that, bouncing back from that, being able to figure out what people hate and turn that into what people love … if you’re not willing to take the risk of failing and not experience failure, you’re never going to figure out what the right path is to success.”

3) Learn the difference between quitting and failing. Thomas Edison was hearing-impaired, and his teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” Imagine if Edison quit working on the light bulb after the first failure. The world would be a different place! After inventing the light bulb, he stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He never quit. He knew that failure was a process and quitting was losing. You can’t succeed at anything if you quit.

Failure is a process and an event toward success. Seeing failure as the end is quitting, but seeing failure as a means to success is “true success.”