the Weekly Wrap - Failure

I’m surrounded by failure these days. ?

And I think it’s great!?

Okay, that might be a little dramatic – but I’m a little dramatic, so it fits.???

In my consulting work, I’m talking to teams and companies who have failed to execute on some software or some project in the past – and are looking to doing things differently to achieve success.?

In my coaching work, I get to help people achieve?that goal or get to that next level that they have just been failing to reach (so far).?

And as a small business owner, a little over 100 days in, let’s just say I’m no stranger to failure. Mistakes, missteps, and learning the hard way are all part of my daily routine!???

So why am I so happy about this? ?

Because I know that failure is a part of growth. ?

It’s inevitable. ?

You can’t grow without failing first.?

But the faster we fail and then learn from that failure – the faster we grow.?

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Failure happens all the time. What makes you better is how you react to it.

—Mia Hamm?

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One of my core beliefs is that if you’re not failing, you’re not dreaming big enough. ?

Now, this isn’t something that I’ve always held so closely.

In fact, perfectionism used to be my go-to safety mode. And if it can’t be perfect, then we fail – and we can’t risk that! So being safe, staying on the sidelines, going with the flow used to be my go-to mode. ?

But that type of thinking holds me back from being truly happy, achieving my dreams, and living the life I want to live.?

So I have to get out there. I have to dream bigger. And I have to embrace the failures that are sure to come as I learn and grow along the way.?

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Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

—Henry Ford?

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I talk a lot about failure these days, but it’s been such a breakthrough in my life to let go of the fear and embrace the failure, that I can't help but share it with the world!

Here are three things I keep in mind to help me change my mindset and embrace my failures!?

No one knows anything???

No one is an expert in the beginning, at anything. Remember that.?

Anyone that you see that is highly skilled, or makes something look easy, or is really successful – didn't start out that way. ?

They started out right where you are: sucking.?

So if you’re bad at something, or you can’t do it perfectly – hooray! You’ve completed the first step towards learning how to be great at it!?

Now keep going!?

Everyone is afraid???

Here’s another secret: everyone else is afraid of failure too. ?

If you’re scared or failing, or looking stupid – you’re not alone. ?

We ALL are. ?

There is a primal instinct in us that kicks in – we want to be part of the group, and failing could put that at risk. ?

So it’s okay to be scared; in fact, it’s normal.?

It probably means you’re on the right track!?

Do it scared???

As Elyse Myers has taught us (we all now know about the new national treasure that is Elyse Myers, right?), we can’t manage our anxiety or our nerves – we have to do things scared.?

Because the people that accomplish amazing things are the ones that do things scared.?

You can’t wait until your ready, or you feel totally prepared – that will never happen.?

We have to set up to the (metaphorical) edge, take a deep breath, and jump into the unknown.?

Will it work out exactly the way you think it should or plan it to? ?

Nope.?

But I promise you will learn a lot, feel more confident, and be one more step closer to your dreams!?

I thank God for my failures. Maybe not at the time, but after some reflection. I never feel like a failure just because something I tried has failed. —Dolly Parton?

So if you failed at something, big or small, this week – congratulations! ??

What did you learn? ?

What will you do differently next time??

Remember, YOU are not a failure. You’re on your way to living your dreams!???

Let’s make sure we kick off the weekend right, with our Friday Night dance party! (Find out why I believe in this Friday Night dance party here).?

Make it a great one!

-Liz ????????