On the road to success, you’re going to fail. Let’s keep it real. It’s not going to be just once or twice. It will be so much more than that. Failure is a part of the process. At first, I didn’t quite understand that. I used to believe that you’re defined by your failures. I used to think that you’re judged by your failures. That’s not true. Don’t let failure define you.
We often hear stories of other people’s successes and we envy that they are successful. However, we don’t seem to understand how they got there. Some of us seem to believe that successful people are born that way. That’s also another myth. Successful people are successful due to their determination and their willingness to not give up. Successful people do not let failure define them.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
In my entrepreneurial journey, I can tell you I was terrified of failing. I thought if I failed, that’s how I would be defined by others and myself. That’s what some people remember about others. How they failed doing what they were doing. Those same people are the ones that usually sit there and do nothing. If you’re building your dream, there will be times that you will fail. Don’t let failure define you. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb is a famous failure. Instead of looking at his failures as a negative thing, he stated that “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
“Failure is there to point you in a different direction.” ~ Oprah
Fear is a powerful thing. It’s so powerful that it can paralyze us from moving forward to achieve our goals and dreams. Yes, it can be really hard. This I know to be true. I also know, if you don’t try, then you’ve failed already. Oprah did a talk at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She talked about careers, leadership and life. In her talk, she says that “failure is there to point you in a different direction.” Talk about a powerful statement! I don’t know about you, but I hadn’t looked at failure like that. When I took more time to think about it, I believe it’s true. Take a minute and think about that statement. Failure points us in a different direction. If one way doesn’t work, what do you do? Some people give up. Others look for another way to get to their goal. Ladies (and gentlemen), there is more than one way to get to your dream. Don’t stop and settle because you failed.
“Failure is an event; not a person.” ~ Zig Ziglar
Look, I have failed. So much so that I too wanted to give up. I was at a point to where I was tired of trying. Tired of failing. I defined myself by my failures because others did. If you’ve defined yourself by your failures, stop that. Remember this important thing: Failing is an event. It’s not who you are. Failure is not a person. It’s not that I couldn’t figure out how to get to my dream. I had defined myself by my failures that I believed it was who I am. NOT SO.
Don’t let failure define you.
In keeping it real, you will fail. It’s inevitable. We all do. Remind yourself that you are more than your failures. So much more. It’s time to change your mindset. It’s time to be pointed in a different direction. Failure is an event. Stop defining yourself by your failures. Get back up and keep moving forward. You will fall down. Yes you will. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get back up and keep pursuing the dream.
Until next time…..
Hi there! It’s nice to meet you! I’m a successful single mama, mental health advocate, sports fan, blogger and all around fun person helping other overwhelmed and stressed women entrepreneurs to get hope, have faith and be inspired to push through their depression and anxiety so they too can live the life of their dreams. Say hello! I would love to meet you! 🙂
