You win some and you…
Fail fast. Fail better. Fail repeatedly. Embracing failure is the pathway to success. But let’s remember that in every failure, there’s a hidden opportunity.
You might be thinking, “Is this the opening of a self-help seminar?” Don’t worry, it’s not – it’s just an email.
Here’s the undeniable truth: We all fail.
Sometimes, we drop the ball, make a mess, take a tumble, or spill a bowl of soup on the stove like some guy I know just did before sitting in front of his laptop. 😬
It’s just part of our human nature.
Despite the abundance of motivational quotes about embracing failure, especially in the business world, many of us operate with “don’t f-it up” thinking. This mindset can stifle our willingness to take intelligent risks and lead to a “tell me what to do” culture.
When this attitude becomes ingrained in our environment, it impedes the creation of a true sense of belonging because there’s a lack of psychological safety that’s essential for learning.
Sometimes, we fall short of our goals because we’re experimenting, trying something new, and exploring uncharted territory. Other times, external factors come into play, throwing unexpected obstacles our way. And, yes, sometimes we miss the mark because we didn’t put in the necessary effort or have the skills.
In the spectrum between black-and-white success and failure, there exist countless shades of gray. Each shade offers a unique opportunity to discover something new or to unlearn what we once believed to be true. It’s a nuanced concept that requires discernment and coach-leader versatility.
Wise individuals and organizations understand that embracing failure is part of the…I’ll say experience because I think done with the word journey.
When failure occurs, they take a moment to Pause, Breathe, Reflect, and courageously shine a light on their imperfections. They acknowledge that mistakes are a natural part of the game. With this awareness and acceptance, they take action to learn from their failures by shifting perspectives, challenging biases, and resisting easy, first-order explanations.
Admittedly, failure is never a delightful experience, but it’s an integral part of life. Your personal growth and impact on the world (aka – your ripple) depend on your relationship with failure.
A few years ago, I created my ‘CV of Failures’ to tweak my relationship with missing the mark and shared it on LinkedIn. Good times, right? Actually, it was pretty cool and while I’d like to believe I’ve hit the mark more often than not, my failure exercise helped me remember some of my amazing teachers.
If you want to explore how to shift your relationship with failure, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can also download my Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude appfor free and begin to view failure for what it truly is—an opportunity in disguise.
After all, you win some, and you learn some.
Until next week, have fun storming the castle!
Michael
A few times a week, I send out inspirational text messages that can help you meet your moments with grace – even the ones that miss the mark. If you would like to receive them, send a text to 503-487-5957 and I will get you set up.
