Lean Out Loud #7: Redefining Failure: Embracing Risk and Taking Charge of Your Success

Are you tired of playing it safe and staying within your comfort zone?

Do you want to achieve more, but find yourself held back by the fear of failure?

If so, then it's time to embrace risk and failure, and take your life to the next level.

And what better way to do that than by adopting the Lean Out Loud mindset?

At its core, the Lean Out Loud mindset is all about taking risks, embracing uncertainty, and learning from failures. By adopting this mindset, you'll be able to break free from the status quo, challenge yourself, and reach your full potential.

So if you're ready to take your life and career to the next level, read on to learn more about why embracing risk and failure is so important, and how you can overcome your fear and uncertainty to achieve your goals.

“Failing is another steppingstone to greatness.” ― Oprah

I want to talk to you today about something that can be difficult to face but is essential to achieving success: embracing risk and failure. It's natural to want to avoid risks and the possibility of failure.

After all, who likes to fail? But if we don't take risks, we won't learn, grow, or achieve our full potential.

We need to reframe our thinking about risk and failure. Instead of seeing failure as something to be ashamed of, we need to embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

It's through failures that we gain experience, refine our approach, and become better equipped to handle the challenges ahead.

“A bad day for your ego is a great day for your soul.” ― Jillian Michaels

Let me share with you some strategies that has helped me embrace risk and overcome my fear of failure:

?? 1. Recognize the importance of risk-taking: If we never take risks, we will never know what we are truly capable of achieving. Without risk, there can be no reward. Remember that some of the most successful people in history have failed numerous times before achieving their goals.

?? 2. Start small: Embrace risk by taking small steps outside of your comfort zone. This can be as simple as speaking up in a meeting, taking on a new project, or pursuing a hobby that you've always been interested in.

?? 3. Learn from failure: Failure is not the end of the road, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on your failures, analyze what went wrong, and use that knowledge to refine your approach and improve your chances of success in the future.

To illustrate the power of embracing risk and failure, let me share with you some case studies of very successful professionals who took risks and failed but ultimately achieved their goals:

? J.K. Rowling: After being rejected by numerous publishers, J.K. Rowling could have easily given up on her dream of becoming a published author. Instead, she continued to write and refine her craft, taking feedback and criticism as opportunities to learn and grow. She also didn't shy away from risk, publishing her books under a pen name and experimenting with different genres. By embracing failure and using it as a learning opportunity, Rowling was able to persevere and ultimately achieve incredible success.

? Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs was known for his willingness to take risks and his passion for innovation. After being fired from Apple, he could have easily given up on his vision for the future of technology. Instead, he founded NeXT and Pixar, two companies that would go on to transform their respective industries. Through his relentless pursuit of his vision and willingness to take bold risks, Jobs revolutionized the world of technology and created one of the most successful companies in history.

? Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first job as a news anchor, but she didn't let that setback hold her back. Instead, she took risks and pursued her passion for television, eventually becoming one of the most successful talk show hosts of all time. She also didn't shy away from difficult topics, tackling everything from addiction to racism on her show. By using her platform to empower and inspire others, Winfrey became a cultural icon and a symbol of hope for millions.

? Colonel Sanders: Colonel Sanders didn't achieve success until he was in his 60s, after a lifetime of failed businesses and setbacks. However, he never gave up on his dream of creating the perfect recipe for fried chicken. He traveled the country, pitching his recipe to restaurants and even cooking it on the spot for potential investors. It wasn't until he was finally able to partner with a restaurant that his dream became a reality. By persevering through failure and never giving up on his vision, Colonel Sanders was able to create a multi-billion dollar fast-food empire.

All of these incredibly talented individuals adopted the Lean Out Loud mindset by embracing risk and failure, using setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, and never giving up on their vision. By doing so, they were able to achieve incredible success and become icons in their respective industries.

In conclusion, remember that success is not about avoiding failure, but about embracing it as a necessary part of growth and learning.

By adopting the Lean Out Loud mindset and taking risks, you'll open up new opportunities for yourself and discover strengths and abilities you never knew you had.

So don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, take that leap of faith, and lean into uncertainty. With hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn from your failures, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Here's to your success!

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