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I came across an article about Honda, and it really touched me. It reminded me of the journey I’ve been on to get to where I am today.
My story is nothing like Honda’s, but it’s still my own, and I’m proud of it. What matters most to me now is helping others find their path to success, just like I’ve found mine.
Humble Beginnings and Rejection
Born in 1906 in a small village in Japan, Soichiro Honda developed a love for machines from a young age. His father, a blacksmith, repaired bicycles, and young Honda spent countless hours watching and learning from him.
Despite his passion for engineering, he struggled at school and didn’t follow a traditional academic path. When he first attempted to sell piston rings to Toyota, his work was rejected due to poor quality.
But he didn’t give up. Instead, he returned to technical school, studied diligently, and spent two years refining his product. Eventually, Toyota agreed to buy his improved piston rings, and things started to look up.
War, Earthquakes, and Ruin
Just as his company, Tokai Seiki, began to grow, World War II changed everything. His factory was taken over for war production, then bombed twice. A massive earthquake soon followed, destroying what was left. With nothing to fall back on, Honda sold what remained of his business to Toyota and walked away.
Most would have given up. But not him.
After the war, Japan was shattered. Fuel was scarce. Jobs were limited. People needed transport, but couldn’t afford cars. Honda saw an opportunity: he attached a tiny engine to a bicycle. It worked and sparked an idea.
In 1948, he founded the Honda Motor Company with a small team of employees and a dream to create affordable, reliable motorcycles for everyday people.
His first models weren’t a success. They were loud and clunky. But Honda kept improving them. In 1958, the breakthrough came with the Super Cub, a simple, lightweight motorbike that was easy to use, cheap to run, and perfect for post-war Japan. It was a game changer, and the orders flooded in.
Global Expansion and More Doubt
When Honda expanded into the U.S., American motorcycle companies mocked him. Small Japanese bikes weren’t what the market wanted, or so they thought. But Honda had a different vision. He launched a campaign with the slogan:
“You meet the nicest people on a Honda.”
It rebranded motorbikes as friendly, fun, and practical, and the strategy worked. Sales soared. Honda had cracked the global market.
Lessons in Resilience
Soichiro Honda’s journey wasn’t about getting everything right the first time. It was about the willingness to fail, learn, adapt, and try again. He didn’t just build engines, he built solutions, brick by brick, failure by failure.
He once said:
“Success represents the 1% of your work which results from the 99% that is called failure.”
He lived those words. And the world drives on because of them.
What a great example of resilience.
This is a powerful story of resilience, but what struck me most was the phrase: fail, learn, adapt, and try again. It’s simple, yet it captures the very process I’ve lived through since starting my business 12 years ago.
Looking back at my early talks and masterclasses, I’m almost embarrassed by how poor they were. At the time, they represented my best effort, but they were a long way from where I am now. Over the years, I’ve refined every element. My content, delivery, and confidence have evolved beyond recognition.
After every masterclass or keynote, I review the feedback, reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and focus on what I can improve. Then I try again. And again. It’s a constant cycle of growth.
Vistage
One of the organisations I deliver masterclasses for is Vistage, a global network of CEOs and MDs. These are senior leaders of businesses generating tens or even hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue. They expect excellence.
When I first began working with Vistage, I was nervous, and frankly, not very good. But I stuck with it. I failed, I learned, I adapted, and I tried again.
Now, I consistently receive excellent feedback. Not because I’m naturally gifted, but because I stayed committed to the process.
Failing isn’t the opposite of success; it’s how you get there.
Key Takeaways
- Rejection isn’t the end, it’s often the start of something better.
- Disaster can be a turning point if you’re willing to rebuild.
- Success comes through constant improvement, not instant perfection.
- Resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about always getting up.
Thoughts for the week.
- Where in your life or work are you letting failure define you instead of refining you?
- What “piston ring” of yours needs a second attempt?
- Could a rejection you’ve faced be the start of something better?
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.
Warm regards
John
https://jdmindcoach.com/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/
