Using the F-word as a Stepping Stone

Whether on a macro- or micro-scale, we all fall short in our attempts to reach our goals or reach greatness, whatever that may be.  In those attempts, and re-attempts, it sometimes just seems too hard, or it doesn't make sense, or it makes you want to quit.  It's precisely at those moments that we must not stop.  Failure, the F-word, is a stepping stone.

"One of the greatest tragedies of personal growth is quitting.  If you take stock now you may find the odds stacked against you, but tomorrow is a new day.  Remember, opportunity knocks just once and you are always just one chance away from greatness.  So, stay in the game and answer the damn door." ~ Jason Huntsinger

I've learned through my own failures there are three traits that will facilitate you in overcoming failure and rediscovering your greatness: reflection, persistence and resilience.  This combination is what makes it possible to move past failure.  But, it's a process.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon you will get back to that level of greatness you always imagined if you stick with it and use failure as a stepping stone.  Trust me...it will happen.

Reflection
This is the first trait because we must have the ability to learn from the failure.  This is the greatest learning opportunity you will ever have so look at it and dig around.  Find the cause and effect.  Map it out and really understand it so you see the route you took.  Don't waste time regretting, that is purely emotional, rather spend the time trying to understand.

"Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes." ~ John Dewey

Persistence
I love the idea of this word: an obstinate continuance in a course of action.  Failure can make us feel like someone has taken away our ability to succeed.  Who's permission do we need to be successful or happy?  Only our own.  Reflect on the twists and turns along the way that brought you here and then get back on track.  Carry on; you don't need permission!!

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." ~ Winston Churchill

Resilience
In many ways I feel this is the most important trait.  You've got to bounce back.  It's this elasticity factor that enables you to get up, look back and shake it off.  Without resilience you would simply let the world crush you.  I'm not talking about simple mediocrity...I'm talking about physically collapsing under the weight of the world. But, that won't happen. We are all here for a purpose, so find yours and go after it with every ounce you can muster.  Stumble and regain your footing.  Fall and get up.  Get knocked down and fight back to your feet.  This is your life and you get one chance at it.  Greatness is not found in the past, it's before you waiting to be discovered.

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out.  The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.  Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough.  They're there to stop the other people." ~ Randy Pausch