Nine Reasons To Embrace Failure

Nine Reasons To Embrace Failure

1. Failure teaches us. Two words I will never misspell are “flexible” and “exchequer.” Why? Because each word knocked me out of a junior high spelling bee. Failure creates an emotional experience, so the lessons we learn when it happens stick. Additionally, going through failure narrows down the possible approaches to success. Scientists rely on trial and error in their research. Each failed experiment brings them a little closer to revolutionary breakthroughs. Think of your own efforts as experiments. When you don’t get the desired result, figure out why. Then try again with your new knowledge.

2. Failure reveals our ability. You’ll never know how much weight you can lift until you reach an amount you can’t. Trainers often refer to this as “lifting to failure.” Pushing yourself as far as you can lets you know what’s possible. By avoiding limits, you’ll never reach your peak. The fear of failure stops us a lot shorter than failure itself. So keep going until nothing more is possible. Then celebrate what you’ve accomplished.

3. Failure makes us stronger. Those same weight lifters who lift to failure also have learned that is the way they build muscle. At first the tissue is damaged, but it’ll heal bigger and stronger than before. Soon the athlete will be able to lift more weight. The same is true for our pursuits. Failure strengthens our character. We humans bounce higher than we fall. Know that with each effort, you grow a little stronger.

4. Failure inspires us. When we don’t let discouragement hold us back, failure makes our desire burn hotter. Often this inspiration is a wish to avoid another failure. Many people don’t know that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. "It was good because it made me know what disappointment felt like," he told the Chicago Tribune. "And I knew that I didn't want to have that feeling ever again." This led to a work ethic that would elevate him to legendary status. If failure makes you work harder or focus more, it’s an experience with tremendous value.

5. Failure inspires others. Leaders must take risks. Even when they don’t succeed, their courage can still make a difference. In 1980, 18-year-old Terry Fox attempted to raise $1 million for cancer research by running across the entire length of Canada on a prosthetic leg. He ran 3339 miles before a relapsed cancer ended his quest. He lost his life, but his effort has inspired over $340 million in donations to date. His “failure” was hardly in vain.

6. Failure builds courage. Becoming more comfortable with failing enables you to take more risks. If you know you can stomach it, it will no longer threaten you. I used to take groups through ropes courses, requiring them to pursue physical challenges thirty feet off the ground. Often participants would fail at the first high event. While some got discouraged, others discovered that failing wasn't so bad. They were proud for having tried in the first place. Knowing that failure was an option made it easier for them to try the next event. Their courage came not from achieving success, but from their willingness to pursue to it. If you're open to failing, you'll readily take more chances.

7. Failure is better than regret. The times I’ve been denied an opportunity never felt as bad as when I’ve let opportunities pass me by. At least when we fail, we know. Not trying at all leaves us wondering. Avoid kicking yourself later by taking a leap today.

8. Failure leaves us open to better opportunities. I was once turned down for a job for which I thought I was the perfect candidate. While unemployment can be scary, rejection can be humiliating. After a few weeks of frustration, I was offered another position I hadn’t pursued. This opportunity was more interesting and considerably more lucrative. Without an awareness of the big picture, it’s easy to perceive failure as misfortune. Maybe it’s nature’s way of making sure we wind up where we’re best suited.

9. Failure makes success a little sweeter. We appreciate victory more when we’ve tasted defeat. Life wouldn’t be fun if things always worked out. Know that your failure is just part of the game we’re all playing. We expend a lot of energy running from failure. Try embracing it. Find the opportunity in the adversity. If there’s a recipe for success, failure might be its primary ingredient.

Source: http://www.betterliving.co.nz/content/atPlay/motivational/failure.aspx

 

Omigosh, I've actually lived this one:
"Failure inspires others"

My daughter who had played soccer all of her youth had torn her ACL in the spring of her sophomore year at high school and had to rehab all of her Junior year. She had been captain of the JV team at the time.
I worked with her in the spring of her senior year....getting her in shape, playing with a girls tournament team, and evening going to the tournaments with her. Unfortunately, she was tentative on the field and had lost a lot of her speed. I had to tell her she was only playing at a JV level and that she would have to work all summer if she was to make the varsity team.
Well, she did not heed that warning....and long-story-short, she was cut after the first 2 weeks of camp. I was actually there at the last day of camp to see it happen. First there was anger and then tears galore. In fact I was probably the most upset by it. The next day I made the decision to play soccer again (at age 50 !) and would not let this affect how I felt about the game. I had not been able to play for 20 years because of various foot, ankle, and hip problems. Miraculously, I was able to play every week...and I have been for the past 2 years.
This past February, my 50+ team won the local state indoor tournament besting 11 other teams. We are going on to try to win the east coast tournament in New York this summer.

 

Hi syswizard,

Congratulation on overcoming such a big obstacle. You have shown that determination is the key to success.

Determination is the true Holy Grail!

I wish you all the best and in winning the East Coast Tournament!


Pension_Admin

 

time spent on ET is a waste for a new trader

 

Look, failure, in this thread is meant positively. But sorry failure is what it is: failure. Cliched it maybe, but only success inspires.

Setback or setbacks I can go with that. But I just won't let my goals go unsatisfied. Life is a progressive ladder whatever age you are.

Now lets look at failure and lets get real. Not savvy, or not smart enough - sure, happens all the time. Insufficent preparation - you bet. Not enough study and forethought - absolutely. No fucking staying power - its a hallmark of the many. So there it is; like it or not, failure, most often, is a choice.

 

Couldn't disagree more. There's a wealth of information here at ET. You just have to be smart enough to cipher through the right info

 

Like this story fr'instance.

 

Just like the market. It tells you one thing through the technicals and then do the other.

 

You know, that's the key. I didn't mention that half-way thru this I had a severe tear of my MCL ligament by a crazed player's slide tackle when I was kicking the ball. That was a 6 MONTH recovery...and I came back from that.

Omigosh, you are dead as a trader with that attitude.
Your negativity is so obvious.
Quit now Dude...whether you are ahead or behind.

 

DUDE I am your trading God just so you know

and with Omigosh you sound gay