Consistency and focus. Besides giving you a pretty good high word score in scrabble, these two words can act as a powerful mantra for achieving success.
They are the two essential ingredients that will help you power through the inevitable failures and setbacks on your journey that are sure to be unexpected guests on that unpaved road before you reach your ultimate destination.
History has a great way of keeping track and keeping count of what athletes, business people, and anyone in pursuit of a dream have to endure to reach the pinnacle of their success. I assure you, it has never been easy.
Michael Jordan is an excellent example of someone who failed repeatedly. Still, because of his focus and consistency, he became one of the most iconic and recognized athletes.
I am sure you may have come across this quote at some point in your life.”I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I have succeeded.” -Michael Jordan
Tingles ran down my spine the first time I read it, and they still do every time. It is an excellent reminder that we are all human and that failure is a part of the journey. Failing does not make you any less of a person; it just means that you need to get back up, and you have much more to offer this world and those closest to you than sitting down on your ass.
Let’s discover some of the things you’ll need to know about your journey to power through any failures that come your way and make them a thing of the past.
Where does failure come from?
This is where you take a deep breath and get ready to put in some serious work. Failure can come from many sources, but the most common ones are lack of focus, inconsistency, and not being prepared for setbacks.
We were all brought up to believe that to be successful, we need to achieve a certain level of perfection in everything we do. But somewhere along the way, we lost sight of perfectionism as one of the leading causes of failure.
In fact, if you’re not making mistakes, then you’re probably not trying hard enough. So allow yourself to have them; it’s all a learning curve. When we’re young, we’re taught that making mistakes is wrong and that we need to be as close to perfect as possible. Failure is part of your journey; the key is never to lose your focus, that burning passion for following your heart.
How can you turn failure into success?
You can look at your lightbulb for a friendly reminder that Thomas Edison tyes the man behind the lightbulb’s creation and has failed at a recorded count of more than 10,000 times to make the darn thing light up and work. If that isn’t one of the most well-known ways to give failure the middle finger and turn it into success, I don’t know what is.
But he was consistent in his efforts, and that is the one thing you need to have if you want to turn your failures into successes.
You’ll also need to develop a thick skin and be prepared for some of the backlashes that will come your way. People will call you all sorts of names, and they will try to drag you down to their level, but don’t let them.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about continuing to put in the hard work, no matter how you stumble and fall. You are strong, then you realize, get back up. Believe in yourself and know that you have much good to offer this world.
How to move past failure?
Loaded question, but there is a straightforward answer. The answer is to fail forward. You keep going no matter how many times you stumble and fall. You don’t give up because giving up means that your hard work was for nothing. And that is not an option; you owe it to yourself to never give up! Small steps every day will eventually get you to your destination.
Don’t doubt yourself
It’s normal to feel a sense of doubt creep in every once and a while, but don’t let it take over. Doubt will keep you from succeeding; doubt is made up of your fears, skepticism, and knowing that you are capable of more.
When you find yourself doubting your ability to reach your goals, remember the following:
You are not alone; everyone has experienced failure at some point.
Failure is a part of the journey, and it’s something you can learn from.
You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for.
Try this on for size. Close your eyes and visualize yourself crossing the finish line, holding that trophy or diploma in your hands. Around you, you hear friends, colleagues, and loved ones cheering you on.
How does this make you feel? A little bit more empowered, perhaps a sense of optimism?
What can I do to stop thinking negatively?
Negative self-talk, what a pain in the ass that inner monologue can be. Like a pesky telemarketer, it’s always there, calling at the worst possible time. And it’s invariably selling you something you don’t need.
The first step is to recognize when that negative voice is trying to take control. It might be a particular situation triggering it, or you’re just having a bad day. Once you’ve identified it, the next step is to challenge those thoughts. Talk back to that voice, and remind yourself of your strengths and capabilities.
You can also try to reframe those negative thoughts into something more positive. For example, if you’re feeling down about yourself, try thinking, “I’m having a tough day” instead of “I’m a screw-up.” Rephrase your thoughts until they sound more like a statement of fact rather than an opinion.
Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you can’t handle things on your own, talk to someone who can offer support. Friends, family, and professionals are all available to help you get back on track.
"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success."
How can I improve?
Dare to fail; you read that right. Don’t be afraid to think out of the box and try something new, even if you know that it might not work. Testing is the only way to learn and grow; it’s how you can flex that innovation muscle and extend your boundaries.
Fail fast and fail often; you’ll get better at it. And there’s no shame in failing as long as you learn something from it. Think back to when you learned to speak, ride a bike, or do something as simple as learning to walk. It sounds silly now looking at how far you came, but you probably failed a good number of times before that one glorious day was as if time stood still for that brief moment, and bam, you did it.
The takeaway? Failure is a part of learning and growing; embrace it!
How can I improve?
Dare to fail; you read that right. Don’t be afraid to think out of the box and try something new, even if you know that it might not work. Testing is the only way to learn and grow; it’s how you can flex that innovation muscle and extend your boundaries.
Fail fast and fail often; you’ll get better at it. And there’s no shame in failing as long as you learn something from it. Think back to when you learned to speak, ride a bike, or do something as simple as learning to walk. Sure it sounds silly now looking at how far you came, but you probably failed a good number of times before that one glorious day was as if time stood still for that brief moment, and bam, you did it.
The takeaway? Failure is a part of learning and growing; embrace it!
- Create a positive environment for yourself where you can be open about your failures and learn from them.
- Talk to someone who will understand and offer helpful advice
- Take some time for yourself to reflect on what you learned
Remember this: failure is not final. As long as you continue to put in the hard work, you will eventually reach your goals.
What are good habits that I can start?
You only live once, so why not do what you love. Remember, your time is limited, and this is not to sell you on getting life insurance but rather to fuel your drive to take more action.
If you are pursuing a better you, don’t wait for a particular date, Monday next year, or when you “have more time.” Start now and make the time.
Make them realistic. Create daily goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals. You’ll want that sense of accomplishment, which will help you stay focused when the finish line starts feeling so far away.
Schedule your time, including time for yourself and your passions. We often fill our days with work, obligations, and things we think we should do rather than what we want to do. It’s alright to be selective and put aside time for your personal goals.
My friend, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t expect to change your entire life overnight. Remember that your goals and habits will evolve, start small and add to your routine as you progress. Starting can be as easy as adopting a consistent sleep schedule, drinking more water, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
You get the idea, and if you are on the lookout, check out 7 Questions That Will Bring Your Career To The Next Level.
Believe in your potential
Did you ever watch “Rocky” as a kid? (or any other movie where the underdog comes out on top). I know I did, not just because of the fighting but also how Rocky handled his failures. He never stopped trying, no matter how many times he got punched in his head, knocked down, or counted out. He always got back up because he knew he could do it; failure was not an option.
Life can be a shitty gig, it’s a harsh statement, but it can be true. It can sometimes feel as if you are surrounded by people who don’t understand you, don’t care about you, or downright feel as if their manners are nonexistent.
Know that no one has it all together. We are all piecing this puzzle together we call life as we go. It’s a game of trial and error, and those that succeed are not afraid to test the waters.
So I leave you with this, don’t give up, let your stumble serve as your fuel, and know that this experience is merely a stepping stone to something more significant. The most important thing to do is learn from it. The unexpected happens to all of us; how you deal with it makes the difference.
Have faith and give yourself a chance, the opportunity to become stronger, to become more resilient, and become the best possible version of yourself.
No one is perfect, and everyone experiences failure at some point in their lives. The most important thing is to learn from your failures and continue moving forward. Pursue your passions and don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.
Remember, you only have one life to live, so make it count!
Do you have any tips for dealing with failure? Share them in the comments below! And if you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Keep in mind the key is never to lose focus of your goals and to maintain a positive attitude.
- Failure is a part of learning and growing; embrace it!
- Create a positive environment for yourself where you can be open about your failures and learn from them.
- Talk to someone who will understand and offer helpful advice.
- Take some time for yourself to reflect on what you learned
Remember this: failure is not final. If you continue to put in the hard work, you will eventually reach your goals.
I hope that this post has served as some inspiration and guidance. Have the courage to embrace your failures and know that you are not alone. Fight your way past this, and remember that defeat is not final. If you continue to work hard, you will eventually reach your goals.
It will mean a great deal if you can share this article with friends or family members who could benefit from reading it. The first step usually isn’t easy; however, thanks for being part of my journey, and keep in mind that the best is yet to come.
