I had to go to my boss yesterday and inform her that I didn’t handle a situation as well as I could have and there may be repercussions. It is always difficult when you have to have these difficult conversations. Tim Ferriss says, and I’ll butcher this, the mark of a successful man is his willingness to have difficult conversations.
Anytime you experience failure or some pain, something good will come out of it, even if it is just a lesson. If you don’t go through the challenge, you wouldn’t know how strong you are.
Get excited. What is the next challenge going to be that you can learn from?I failed in that situation but I don’t fear failure. I don’t like it. No one does. Fear losing your passion. Fear losing your desire to learn.
Awareness is key. Be aware that you are going to feel insecure. You are going to feel doubtful. But if you are aware, mindful, that it is just a reaction, possibly even an illusion, it might not even be real, then you can keep the passion alive.
Failure is feedback. It is information that is telling you what is working and what is not working. When you figure out, this is not working, it is not allowing me to achieve what you want to achieve. It is not allowing you to create what you want to create. It is feedback. What is the information you can take from this situation that will facilitate you achieving your goals.
Failure is just something that is going to challenge you but will ultimately bring something positive to your life. It is going to make you stronger.
If we reframe failure, or fear, or any of these apparently negative experiences as opportunities to grow, we do not have to fear failure, or fear fear itself, then that is very powerful.
… the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself
– Franklin D. Roosevelt, first inauguration speech, March 4, 1933.
Remember, the obstacle is the way.
Fail often, fail fast, and learn!
Scott
Ps. If you have a favourite failure that taught you a lesson and/or lead to a long term success, please leave it in the comments or tweet it at me, @physio_strength.