First Attempt In Learning

If you're a Type A personality, have a drive to do everything to the best of your abilities, and strive to do anything exceptionally well, you're most likely not a fan of failure. You might even be inclined to think that failing at something small is a big deal.

Finish this sentence: I think of failure as _______________________ .

If possible, think about what your life would look like if you never failed at anything you did. Every new task you try is a success. Every new skill you learn, you learn it easily. You win at everything you play and you never make small mistakes. Tell me what it's like to imagine this... seriously! I want to know so leave me a comment :)

What life has taught me is that I can appreciate failure as part of the learning and growing process. If I never failed, I doubt that I would strive so hard to succeed. It challenges me to try something completely different - whether it's a different attitude or perspective or approach. It subsequently reminds me that I tried something new, which is something that few people have the courage to do.

I might never be the most graceful downhill skier you've seen gracing the slopes this winter, but each year I make the effort to get back onto the bunny hill to build some confidence and then head down the easy slopes and hope that I get to the bottom safely without injuring myself or anyone else in the process. Although some might sit in the restaurant sipping hot chocolate having a giggle at my efforts and wondering why I persist, others are inspired that I only started this new hobby late in life.

Failure has taught me that life isn't always about winning or losing, but about enjoying the process of trying new things. About enjoying those things that we aren't always successful in, but that leave us feeling good about ourselves. It makes me so happy to get outdoors during winter and be active, to open a book and discover another perspective about a topic that interests me, or get constructive criticism about ways I can improve my approach to familiar tasks.

FAIL - First Attempt In Learning. You tried. You learnt something about yourself, your abilities, about the people involved, and your potential. Even if you make minor adjustments and try again, you're creating a growth mindset. You're giving yourself permission to experiment with life and find new ways to succeed.

Steve Jobs once said that the first step is the hardest, and having taken it, they have started something really big. If you're afraid of failing, you won't take that first step. You won't start something really big or even have the chance to change the world. If you focus on your fear of failing, I doubt you'll know the sweet taste of success either.

My advice is to embrace failure. Embrace taking that first step in learning so that when you succeed, you'll be able to enjoy it even more!

How would you finish the statement now? I think of failure as _______________________ .