Wow! I failed and I love?it.

How do you define failure?

 Do you feel elated or motivated when you hear people's success story? We probably feel the same way when we record a win over any situation. In all honesty, our success story did not begin when we lifted the trophy, aced an examination, secured a dream job, travelled to a dream destination or landed that big contract we've been pursuing. The journey started as far back as our first misstep learning, unlearning and relearning the process of our failures. Lots of life occurrences affect us in different shades and we tend to handle disappointments the best ways we can. The big question is "How do you handle failure" - no matter the form it may appear! Failure says, “we are all an uncut stone going under the chisel for processing".

I FAILED my Digital Marketing Professional Exam despite my experiences and success with Learntor!!!  Does it make me a loser? If you FAIL to Ace a job interview, do you regard it as a failure or lesson? Robert F. Kennedy must have graduated from this compulsory school to have come up with one of his famous quotes differentiating us along the line of accepting this reality of defeat when he said;

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly” - Robert F. Kennedy

 Everyone loves success stories yet my life - our life is filled & fuelled by failure stories, although the world is full of success stories making us comfortable with the narratives of "I have never failed"!

What is Failure?

Failure could simply mean a lack of success or a sort of "success drought". Your not been able to hit the bull's eye on a target you shot at! 

However, on the other angle of reflection, failure could be teaching us to retrace our steps - trying to let us see better ways of achieving the desired results.

Henry Ford quote similar to R.F Kennedy, perhaps, all the great people with great achievement have a story to tell about their encounter with the TEACHER we call failure.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently” - Henry Ford

 I was used to losing even when I have victory is evident, it felt unnatural. Everyone called me a failure, it became synonymous to me, not because I believe the label or title; hence my fight to win and always proof myself wrong since no would give me a chance, learning to "try again" with a better approach!

Passing my Digital Marketing Professional Exam within 5 days was gruelling and intense, reminding of my past failures and the doggedness to succeed like failing GCSE examination 5 times and passing on the fifth attempt. I dared myself with an M.Sc. in Public and International Relations at the prestigious University of Lagos, I completed the Masters Programme unfortunately I did not graduate with my M.Sc despite defending my thesis and completing my carryovers. 

Deep down I feel I could never win the lottery or gamble and I am yet to play it.

Why did I fail so much?

 Unknown to me I have been dyslexic all of my life and it took listening to Gary Vaynerchuk and Barbara Corcoran to learn why I struggled which makes total sense after reading more about the symptoms waking me up to the rude reality why I failed so much since myself diagnoses. Thank you Garyvee and Barbara for substituting as my doctor! Lol.

Despite my failures which am grateful for, I have never had to compromise my integrity, honour, self-confidence and self-love because that is all I have and hold dear; guided by the fear of Almighty God. Determination to succeed it kept me grounded and fearless as I endured disappointments, frustrations and rejections, challenging status quo, troubleshooting situations while seeking solutions to complex problems.

 No matter where you're coming from or where you are going; there is a school of FAILURE you have to pass through. Although our experiences may differ, you will become better if we handle failure more positively. 

How to overcome Failure?

1. Ignore and stay away from naysayers.
2. Understand it’s okay to fail and leverage on the failures - learn lessons and try again!
3. If you set goals, revisit and review your past goals.
4. Set new goals with crazy actionable plans.
5. Be ready to fail again and again without quitting.

 Benefits of Failure

1. Failure though very harsh and painful teaches life lessons.
2. Failure is humbling and makes us hungry and angry for better results.
3. Failure helps to overcome fear, eliminating every element of doubt that we can do it and do
4. Failure helps us renew our commitments to our goals, therefore inspiring creative solutions.
5. Failure transforms you into a valuable mentor driven by the experience.
6. Failure is beautiful and courageous, offering clarity while driving us to our success. 

Now is my second chance to life and I am choosing to LIVE, LOVE and LEARN; impacting and transforming lives with my stories to reassure them that they anything is possible no matter their age, gender, skin colour or language.

If you have failed before, can you share your failure stories in the comment section to inspire someone else? 

I will be wait to read and comment on your life lessons.

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