Let Failure Teach You, Not Define You

I'm a competitive person. You know, the kind of person who plays Monopoly and treats it like the Olympics. I was always a natural athlete, and I can vividly remember the incredible feeling of winning. It drove me. Even as a young child, I thrived in the celebration of a win—seriously, my victory dance was something to behold! That love of success has poured over into much of my adult life. I understood the importance of practice and dedication, the power of discipline and teamwork. And let's not forget the humbling defeats that came along for the ride. I had failure, loss, and plenty of tears—enough to fill a kiddie pool! As much as I loved the victory, those losses almost kept me from persevering and getting back up. No matter how hard I tried to look past the loss, the failure felt bigger than all my wins combined. But why? Why was I allowing this to define me? To lessen all my hard work and victories? I have never met anyone who enjoys failing. Not one person who said they loved to lose. It can be downright embarrassing, like missing the attire memo for the formal party (I swear I thought it was a pajama party). But we all relish in success. Feeling a sense of achievement and productivity from our efforts is satisfying, almost as satisfying as finding the fries at the bottom of the bag. However, experiencing loss can serve as a valuable teacher or mentor, provided that we are open to embracing it.

The Agony of Defeat: A Blessing in Disguise

The agony of defeat can allow for huge breakthroughs. This can show up as a realization that you didn't put in the work, or dedicate the time needed. Persistence is important, no matter how old you are or what goal you are working on. You can't expect proficiency if you're not willing to practice. It's like trying to bake a cake without actually putting it in the oven—spoiler alert: it won’t rise!

Empathy and Patience: The Silver Linings

Experiencing loss can help develop empathy towards individuals who may not be as accomplished or naturally talented. This teaches patience and grace—something I’m still working on, especially when I’m stuck behind a slow walker in the grocery store.

Embracing Defeat: The Path to Triumph

It is a humbling encounter to face defeat. However, by learning to accept loss gracefully, you can enhance the satisfaction of your triumphs! It also teaches us that we can endure—that a loss doesn't signify the end of everything. Failure should not be feared but rather welcomed. Ask any entrepreneur about their failures, and I assure you, they've experienced them, often more than once. Reward comes with risk. It's how we learn what not to do. Remember when you were a kid and touched a hot stove, or jumped off a high step and got hurt? I bet you heard that little voice in your head saying, "DON'T DO IT!" But you still did it and got hurt. But hopefully, you learned from your actions and didn't repeat them. I used to tell my son (much to his dismay), "You have one chance to make a mistake; after that, it becomes a choice." A failure makes us rethink our actions and reroute down a better path—like using a GPS that recalculates when you miss a turn.

Conquering Imposter Syndrome

Failure can lead to feelings of embarrassment and a diminished sense of self-worth. Imposter syndrome may start to take hold, leaving you with the belief that you are inadequate and destined for failure. This mindset can be paralyzing and all-consuming if allowed to persist. Many individuals are compelled to give up in the face of this overwhelming feeling. It may seem more appealing to walk away rather than risk experiencing the pain and shame of failure once more. However, what are you sacrificing by letting fear prevent you from taking chances? As Wayne Gretzky famously stated, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Are your apprehensions about failure hindering your potential for success and happiness?

Take a Chance!

So, take a chance and see what potential lies ahead! Who knows? You might just end up winning the gold medal in the Olympics of life—or at least find those missing fries!