Taking the L

But I’m not talking about sports (sorry).

For anyone who is not a sports enthusiast (me) out there, taking the L means taking the loss. I’ve heard it used in conversation like saying take the loss and move on.

I think about taking the L in a different way.

“I never lose. I either win or learn.” - Nelson Mandela

Taking the L is about taking the lesson; taking the learning. Instead of dwelling on not ‘winning’, let's find the L and grow.

Hustle culture is everywhere. #RiseandGrind #AlwaysWinning #HustleHard #NeverGiveUp #EntrepreneurLife #MindsetIsEverything splattered across Instagram (cringe), making it seem like if you aren’t dedicating your entire life (starting with 5 am morning routines) to your work, you aren’t doing it right. Imagine following all those lists of "10 things the ultra successful do every day"....your life would be something like this:

I am of the ‘work smarter not harder’ camp (thoroughly enjoying my 8 am alarm clock). *Friendly reminder: images on Instagram are faker than they appear *

I’m not saying to not try to achieve your goals. As much as I strive for perfection, I can still find the lessons in everything that I do (thanks to my well rested brain ?? ) . And in that strive for perfection, I also identify what I could’ve done better to get closer to my definition of perfect. I also give myself some credit for what I am able to accomplish, despite sometimes not achieving the ideal outcome.

And if you are one of those self proclaimed ‘hustlers’, then think of it as failing fast. Take the Learning and adjust and try again until you do win.

Let’s stop losing and start learning. Let’s stop beating ourselves up and start appreciating the experience. Let’s stop being discouraged and start being encouraged to keep going. Let’s take the L.