What’s the "f" word, the "bad word" that cannot be spoken in some people’s lives?
Failure.
It’s tough one to choke back, but going not just to our leading edge but over the top into the void, is actually how we learn. Sometimes there’s a soft landing, sometimes a bumpy return to earth. Not necessarily comfortable, but usually illuminating!
What if we celebrated failure – no, I mean really flaunted it! – instead of hiding our "mistakes" in some physical or metaphorical closet?
History has shown that not daring to fail, or conversely refusing to admit failure and the lessons thereof, has created often devastating consequences of grand proportions. It’s no small matter how we look at the idea of failure and our response to it.
Where will you dare to fail today?
What’s worth possibly failing for?
What would it mean for you to fail – really grandly, excellently, flagrantly?
How will you celebrate your failure?
…And for a fascinating take on the history of failure, check out this link to a recent Minnesota Public Radio interview with Scott Sandage, author of the recent Born Losers: A History of Failure in America.
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
Hanna, terrific advice! I agree with you that failure is a necessary part of success. I did a whole series of quotes on failure, just to help drive home the point.
Thanks for sharing.
Becky,
Thanks for stopping by!
I checked out the quotes you’ve collected – they and your thoughts on failure give lots to chew on, so thanks for sharing them!
Hanna ~
I’m going through a certification process through which you can choose to be vulnerable and really learn, or play it safe, limit learning, and come out looking “good.” This week I made the choice to take a huge risk in order to dive more deeply into the learning process. This is the first time I allowed myself to fail at something I really value. I celebrate the learning that’s happened and the gift of taking a risk. This failure has opened many doors for me.
Maripat
If you’ve never failed, you’ve never lived
Celebrating some great failures and their even greater accomplishments.