Why You Shouldn’t Fear Failure

Failure. What is failure? And why do we fear it?

According to Webster’s Dictionary:

Failure- noun | fail·ure | \ˈfāl-yər\

1a : omission of occurrence or performance; 2a : lack of success

Let me start by saying, if you are not failing, you’re probably not really moving forward. Every successful person is someone who failed. The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting to the top.

You have to meet failure with the right attitude and determine to fail forward. The problems we face and overcome prepare us for future difficulties.

Albert Einstein who was the greatest thinker of our time, was told over and over again that he would never amount to much. Einstein also failed almost all of his classes throughout his early college years.

Just about every successful entrepreneur in history, even ones I have met have numerous stories of adversity and setbacks that opened doors to greater opportunity.

If you want to succeed, you have to learn to make adjustments to the way you do things and try again.

You will find your BEST lessons in your biggest mistakes, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes or “fail."

I see so many people disregard their dreams all because they are afraid. Afraid of what? We are not supposed to tuck our dreams under the pillow when we get up in the morning, we’re not supposed to leave them at home, to get up and fulfill someone else’s dreams. That’s not what we are wired to do and not what we are meant to do. Don’t do that because you’re afraid to fail.

Be willing to play between your brain and your soul.

If you find yourself always watching from the edge, watching someone else’s life on social media, and find yourself wondering ‘what it’s like..’ Then I advise you to jump. Only 3 thing can happen when you jump.

1- Jump and Fly 2- Jump and Fall on something soft 3- Jump and Fall hard

Either way, any of those results, you have what it takes to get back up. Leap! Jump! Your greatest fear is not that you will fall and fail. Your fear is that you will live a full life and never fly. Give your dream a chance.

There is no elevator. We all have to take the stairs. You can’t follow someone you admire on Facebook or Instagram and just get to where they are. You’re just going to watch them through their social media window. What you’re not seeing on social media is the failures and obstacles.

If you follow me personally, follow me to inspire you to get up and chase your dreams. Learn to make failures a part of your success.

Here are Alexandria’s Tips to Fail Forward:

1- Take Responsibility Take full responsibility for your actions, but do not take failing personally. Instead of thinking, “I am a failure,” think to yourself “I made a mistake.”

2- Understand Failure is Short Lived You are not permanently stuck in a hole. Find a solution to your problem. Achievers see any type of failure as temporary. Look at failure as a momentary event and not a life long epidemic.

3- Have Realistic Expectations Remember getting to the top requires overcoming obstacles, much time, effort, and working through set backs. Success is not a straight line to the top. Don’t believe that you’ll make it to the top without any bumps in the road.

4- Focus On Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses Make a list of all your greatest successes and strengths. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do. Use this time to maximize your strengths.

5- Try Different Routes Most self made millionaires are involved in several different businesses or ideas before they found the one that brought them to the top. If something isn’t working for you repeatedly, try a different route to get your goal.

6- Make a Comeback I once read that a Psychologist said, “Life is a series of outcomes. Sometimes the outcome is what you want. Great, figure out what you did right. Sometimes the outcome is what you don’t want. Great. Figure out what you did so you don’t do it again.” The key to making your comeback is having the right attitude and be committed to moving forward no matter what set back gets in your way.

7- Do Not Take Mistakes or Failure Personally All achievers have the ability to bounce back after an error or failure. You know why? Because they don’t take it personal. Pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Then you will find your success.