Hey Chris, what do you do when you “fail” at something?
I’m just not sure how to process it or handle it. Sometimes when I think about something I’ve failed at, I wonder what’s the point of even trying.
Have you ever failed at something Chris and found a way of dealing with it?
Help me off the struggle bus!
Signed, Where’s the off ramp on this highway
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So, Where’s the off ramp…
Here’s what I would say…
For me, I look at two types of “failures.”
There are “instant” failures – like my missing an off-ramp or two!
And there are failures “in retrospect” – where I’ve looked back and realized I’ve missed an opportunity.
Here’s what I’ll say about both.
Failure in ALL cases will lead to a brilliant outcome!
How do I know? Hang with me here…
When I’ve missed an off ramp, I go to the next and turnaround. Now I know what I’m looking for or even looking to avoid.
If it’s “in retrospect,” the power of time delivers incredible perspective.
Now I can find the gift in it. (And there is ALWAYS a gift)
I’ve had the pleasure of THREE distinct careers in my short life.
- I spent over 25 years in a corporate gig that I left because I had had enough.
- I ran my own coaching/consulting business for over 6 years and decided in the year I was most profitable that I wanted cash flow I could count on.
- I took a public sector position with the federal government and in less than 5 years, I am leading strategic planning for an organization.
And I’m still building Beat Self-Defeat on the side.
Some might say that at each juncture, I “failed.” And I’ll be woman enough to admit that I thought the same at certain points.
However, for me, these were incredibly rich opportunities that many people NEVER get to experience in their life!
I’ve learned something from each and every career pursuit and it’s made me a resilient, flexible and fearless individual.
Would you call THAT person a failure?
Here’s the point I want to make, Where’s the off ramp…
Do not demonize or avoid failing.
It’s rarely, if ever, fatal. And if it is, then it’s on to another dimension…
As my father always reminded me as a child (and I often hear him as an adult!):
Nothing beats a failure but a try!
Use failures to move you down the highway to the next off ramp and on to something powerfully unexpected and incredibly brilliant in your life.
~ Fear nothing. Love everything.
