"A man may fall many times, but he won't be a failure until he says that someone pushed him." -Elmer G. Letterman
"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely." -Henry Ford
There are two types of failure. The first type is failure from giving up. If you've ever made a new year's resolution chances are that you failed by giving up. It is human nature to be somewhat passive and lazy at times. It is always easier to give up and continue the status quo than to push yourself outside of your comfort zone for too long.
The second type of failure is failure from poor execution. If you screwed something up and failed it is often easier to walk away than to make yourself try again. Whether it is from pride, laziness, or lack of conviction, people often determine the potential goal is not worth trying anymore.
There are a few important things to remember in regards to failure:
Failure doesn't have to be a negative thing. Teflon®, plastic, the pacemaker, the microwave, X-rays, anesthesia, stainless steel, and penicillin are just a few of the things created by mistake. They were created from the failures of other projects. Learn to embrace failure.
The second type of failure is failure from poor execution. If you screwed something up and failed it is often easier to walk away than to make yourself try again. Whether it is from pride, laziness, or lack of conviction, people often determine the potential goal is not worth trying anymore.
There are a few important things to remember in regards to failure:
- Failure is destined to happen. To become successful you will have to endure failures, guaranteed. Learn to deal with failure.
- Don't take failure personally. Don't let failure make you emotionally sad. Separate failure and look at it logically.
- Set realistic goals. Don't set yourself up to fail. If you know that a goal is impossible don't set it.
- Failure is the easiest option. Remember that failure is easier than success. That is why success is so much sweeter.
- Fail Harder. If you are going to fail at least fail trying your best. You are more likely to learn more if you fail with more conviction.
- Every failure is a success. You will learn from every failure if you look deep enough. View each failure as a successful learning opportunity.
- Fail Often. It usually takes multiple failures before you succeed. Don't give up after your first, second, or third failed attempt.
Failure doesn't have to be a negative thing. Teflon®, plastic, the pacemaker, the microwave, X-rays, anesthesia, stainless steel, and penicillin are just a few of the things created by mistake. They were created from the failures of other projects. Learn to embrace failure.
