For too long I believed failure was only negative — something to be avoided at all costs.
Now I’m more accepting of failure. It may take me down for awhile, but it doesn’t defeat me or define me.
Don’t get me wrong: I like success just as much as anyone else. Bring it on! But I know to achieve success, both personally and professionally, I have to take risks. I have to try new things, realizing that my efforts may or may not work. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “Won’t know if it’ll work until we try it.” (Usually I’m discussing a book marketing idea.)
I’m getting more and more comfortable outside the safe zone. That’s where the fun happens — both failures and successes. That’s where new ideas are birthed and where I grow most as a person. Yes, sometimes an idea bombs. But that’s okay. A failed attempt doesn’t mean I’m a failure. It just means I get another chance to try something else — I get another chance to succeed!
In Your Words: How do you feel about failure and playing it safe? What’s been your most recent failure on the way to success?
[Tweet “Playing It Safe Won’t Lead to Success #lifequotes #failure #risk”] [Tweet “In Others’ Words: Playing It Safe #inotherswords #failure #success”]
Comments 4
Oh, my goodness. Since I’m one of those people who thinks she can do anything, I fail quite often. Perception is not always reality. 🙂 Sometimes I feel foolish when I fail and sometimes I’m down, but not out for the count. I’ll bounce back and try something else.
Good post!
Author
Pat:
I’m one of those people who think you can do anything too!
🙂
It ain’t failyer lessn’ y’all quit.
I’s jest too plumb dumb to quit, so I cain’t rightly fail, can I?
Seriously, it’s a topic to which I have given much recent thought, and I’m going to take the risks…and will not accept failure. It’s not going to be allowed into my consciousness.
Author
Andrew:
You don’t know how much it means to me when you comment. Maybe you do. But I know each comment comes at a cost — and I am thankful that you join the conversation … and I am thankful for you, my friend.