“To be wrong as fast as you can is to sign up for aggressive, rapid learning.” — Ed Catmull

If you’ve never failed at anything, then this article is not for you. However, if you’re like me, not only have you failed many times, you’ve had some significant failures – I mean unbelievable catastrophes. Some of my failures were due to my own shortcomings or mistakes, but some were also beyond my control – external causes, which created fear when facing another decision point because of my painful experience and the unknown factors at play.

I think more than anything you need perspective when you fail. Oh, did I mention that? You will fail. The difference-maker is how you respond to the failure. You can do it healthily, or in a self-destructive way that is bound to repeat itself, over and over again. If you have a healthy perspective, not only will your failure not define who you are, but it will propel you to whom you want to be.

“If you have a healthy perspective, not only will your failure not define who you are, but it will propel you to whom you want to be.”

Consider This When When Dealing with Failure

1. You’re Still Awesome: Don’t allow this setback to mentally say anything about you, personally. You are still the same highly talented person you were before this setback. Think about all the many successes you’ve had and let that encourage you. Go see someone that really cares about you. Ask them what they think. They’ll tell you exactly what I just said.

2. Honestly Pursue the Truth About What Happened: Take the appropriate amount of time to objectively consider what just happened to you. Be honest. Ask your friend or associate, whom you trust, to give you feedback. Was this something you could’ve done better? If so, then what lesson can you learn? Was this something you did not foresee, or was caused by external forces beyond your control? Then give yourself a break. But, now that you’re smarter, could you have taken precautions that might have lessened or prevented the failure? If so, make a note of that. Now you’re getting wiser. See, you are awesome.

3. How Would You Do It Differently Now That You’re Wiser: Write down the steps you could have taken to lessen or prevent this failure. Discuss this with those you trust; the really good ‘thinkers’ in your personal circle. Start your own ‘Lessons Learned’ page in your personal journal. What? You’re not journaling? How do you recall your past, your moods, ideas, or disentangle your many thoughts? Please, my friend, start a journal – today.

4. Get Back in The Game: Probably the best overall advice I’ve ever received from my business mentors is, “Keep going, don’t quit.” You never fail until you quit. Now that you’re wiser and smarter, you are even more prepared for the challenges that are ahead. Use this learning opportunity to make your life and business better than it has ever been.

Final Thought: Wisdom Is Cheap at Any Price

Right decisions come from experience, and experience comes from wrong decisions. If you indeed have learned from your failure, then it was worth it. That’s what I said; it was worth it. That failure will become just another rung on your ladder to success. It will become part of your success. You will be able to look back and say, “Thanks, I needed that.”

“You’re either winning or learning.”

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