If you look up the meaning of failure on ‘doctor google’ the first definition that comes up is — lack of success.
It’s easy to understand why people don’t want to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. Society tells us that failure is a bad thing. If we fail, then we will be judged and pushed out of the tribe as a meal on wheels for the lions.
Not trying something at all, now that’s where a lack of success comes from!
“You win some; you lose some.” This well known saying is supposed to make us feel ok with failing, to teach us that failure is simply part of life. However, what it actually does is create a ‘scarcity mentality’ around failure. It focuses on the losses of failure.
The fear of failure paralyses us from chasing our dreams. No single human was perfect at everything they tried the first time. Often we see people who are where we want to be and think that we have to be at the same place as them immediately. We want what they have or do or be from the moment we decide. What we neglect to see is the years of hard work and practice they have gone through to hone their skills.
What if we viewed failure as a good thing? What if we were able to focus on all the gains that failure brings. The lessons & the opportunities to improve. What would your life be like if you welcomed failure in, instead of pushing it away? What would you be doing differently?
If we recognise that through not achieving the desired outcome the first time, then we are allowed the opportunity to learn, grow and improve. When we focus on the lessons, then the success comes.
One way to allow failure in order to improve is to bring your inner child out . That part of you that is willing to learn, willing to give things a go again and again until they get it right. Your inner child understanding that each attempt brings them one step closer to success. Show yourself compassion and kindness as you learn new skills and begin to alter your mindset around failure.
What have you wanted to try but have been too scared to? Maybe you can give it a go and this time celebrate any failure that comes with it.
