You Must Be Willing To Fail

"You must 'fail' to succeed" - Bria Simpson nnAll right, someone else has probably said this, but I don't know who she or he is, so I'm going to own this quote! John Vorhaus, a comedy writer, says the failure rate in his business is 90%. Successful comedians, like successful people in any field, are the ones who keep writing, keep trying, over and over- even though they are afraid and even though they experience "failures" along the waynGuess what? You must fail to succeed. Fears may plague you when you think about attempting something new. What if you don't succeed exactly as planned? Will others judge you for doing something different? What will people think of you if you experience some setbacks along your journey? What if your kids or spouse are disappointed because you are focusing on yourself and not them? And the list goes on and on. nYou must fail to succeed. My husband and I started a children's museum several years ago, which was an amazing place, but could not financially sustain itself long-term. At first, our feelings of "failure" were very painful. But with time, and lots of reflection, we both have realized that the lessons we learned are invaluable. Much of what I learned has helped me find the courage to start my current business as a life coach- a passion I truly love- and accept the inevitable ups and downs that accompany any business. nThe reality is that "failure" is really just a lesson disguised as disappointment. Some disappointments are small and can be overcome with simple adjustments, so expect them along the way. Some disappointments are big and you may need to end an endeavor. Either way, praise yourself for your courage to live your life to the fullest, and learn the lessons you need to learn- in order to try again. nIf you decide to incorporate a new passion or interest into your life, know that you may be afraid of "failing" in some way. Feel the fear and do it anyway. That is courage. And courage is what it takes to bring meaningful interests into your life and to achieve real success. nWhat fears of "failure" do you need to face in order to live a more authentic and meaningful life?n