Lessons from Failing

Last week, I, like many of you, watched NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo's press conference after his heavily favoured Bucks were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. I was inspired by how he handled the complex concept of failing versus failure.

(If you haven't seen it, here's a link to the part that went viral )

His response resonated with me as an amateur athlete, business leader, and father. Giannis' answer to the question of whether he considered the season a failure was a terrific reminder that failing is a setback that can happen to anyone, but it's not the same as failure.

Failure is a mindset that occurs when we give up after a setback or let fear and self-doubt take over, hindering our progress. Succumbing to these negative emotions can lead to failure.

By viewing failing as an opportunity to improve ourselves, we can become better versions of ourselves. It's essential to focus on making progress towards our goals, rather than striving for perfection.

For me, racing my cyclocross bike has taught me how to try to quell my inner demons and focus on my resilience and fortitude. It has never been easy and there has been a lot of failing, but this has allowed me to test my limits and emerge stronger.

Similarly, my boys play elite-level baseball, where failing is an integral part of the sport, and they are learning that players are defined by how they handle the intrinsic setbacks in the game.

Recently, I've come to realize the relevance of the psychology of job hunting. This process has so many setbacks and challenges, and those of us in this part of our professional life need to ride out the darkest moments, refuse to surrender, and not succumb to the fear of failing.

Overall, these experiences have taught me that setbacks are an opportunity to grow, and perseverance is key to achieving success.