Learn to Fail

When I was younger, failure felt like any thing or any time I wasn’t able to do something perfect the first time.

It felt awkward, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. I thought people were laughing at me, judging me, deciding I just wasn’t good enough.

It took me a long time to learn how to fail the right way. To embrace it, relish it, even joyfully seek it out.

I now understand true failure means quitting or not learning. Everything else is just part of the success process. Steps on the way to achieving a goal.

For too many years I was a true failure. I quit when it got difficult or when I was tired or became frustrated. I wasn’t willing to exert the effort needed to endure the pain required to win.

Lots of great people begin strong but convince themselves they didn’t really want their intended goal once it gets difficult.

And it always does. It always gets difficult.

The masses don’t achieve many goals because, quite frankly,  it’s just too uncomfortable.

High performance people operate way out on the edge of their ability – it is how they achieve mastery. They seek mistakes and missteps because they recognize them for what they are – the opportunity to fine-tune their skills, improve and enhance their craft.

Mistakes are to be celebrated.

I love how my 12-year-old daughter approaches anything new – she assumes it will be uncomfortable, especially the first time. She knows if she gets through it the first time, the second time will be easier. And the time after that will feel even better.

I’ve seen her apply this logic to karate, surfing, cooking, snow boarding, math, wake boarding, skim boarding, writing, learning new software, travel, and making new friends.

She’s scared, but she does it anyway.

She continuously pushes the edge of her abilities, seeking that point of failure, so she can and will make a mistake, coming back to it over and over, all the while moving that limit farther out.

It’s called mastery and its pursuit defines a champion. My daughter is a champion and I am awed and thrilled she learned how to be one so early in life.

For high performing people, reaching the point of failure is a way of life. They embrace it. They seek it.

High performing people are really, really good at failure…and that’s how they become champions.

Be bold!
Ann

 

Ann Vertel, PhD Success Psychologist / Entrepreneur Mindset Expert http://AnnVertel.com

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Dr. Ann Vertel is a success psychologist and entrepreneur mindset expert who speaks, writes, and trains on how to win the inner game of entrepreneurial success. She is the creator of The Millionaire Mindset Method, a proven step-by-step program to shatter your money limits so you can earn what you are worth. To get your own copy of her success mindset articles visit http://AnnVertel.com.

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