Fantastic Failure

Oh no! It's another one of those "F" words and there is definitely a negative connotation here. What does it mean to fail? Just what is failure?

The dictionary says that failure is an instance, person or thing that proves unsuccessful; a nonperformance of something due, required or expected.

We've set the mark, written the outline, followed a plan for achievement and it never happens. We call this failure.

Did you know that our brain doesn't recognize failure or success? It's true. Man has programmed and attached the ideas of good and bad to these concepts so we've learned how to think in regard to these terms.

The word failure is associated with and can call forth feelings such as disappointment, regret, shame, doom, loss, guilt, blame, anger, sadness, despair, etc. Are these feelings helpful? If they can motivate us to try again, the answer is yes.

However, some people will go to great strides to avoid and protect themselves from failure by taking the path of life with the fewest challenges. For them, the thought of experiencing failure and all its feelings is just too much. It's the old saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained" or lost.

Some people will dive in headfirst and be fearless, their determination outweighing all else. Should they fail to arrive at the expected result, they give up and seek to try something else. They try many things once, but fail each time. They never stop to learn why each project failed. They play that superficial blame game. The problem is if the expected result is never achieved, over time, a sense of hopelessness can become their housemate.

However, some people will look back at the completed process and offer analysis in the form of questions. They will seek to learn from the experience and apply that information to future attempts. They even offer this same analysis when they succeed in order to unlock and record the systems that proved successful.

These are the people that reach the plateau of success and achievement. They know hitting the mark on the first try may not be possible, but with as much preparation as possible, they go for it anyway. The hills and valleys of their path show many pieces of value and once the journey ends without the expected result, they decided to ask tough questions and shine light on the process.

Perhaps reeducation is needed on this word failure. Set backs and challenges are not necessarily failures. Remember this phrase: "Failure becomes knowledge when asked the right questions."

What are some of the questions we can ask that will change the meaning of failure in our endeavors?

1. What did we learn about this plan or process?

2. What lesson(s) can be seen?

3. How will we use this information in the future?

Turning failure into a learning experience or teaching moment is the surest way to stomp out the negative associations we have attached to the word.

Who starts out and wins the first time? Not everyone. Of those that do, who wins every time? Not many.

Each project has its own particular rules and regulations, its own distinct effect and will undoubtedly touch many aspects of the whole design we've set for our life. Missing the mark is merely a time to learn and prepare for the next deep end in which we decide to dive.

Let's throw out the aspects of disappointment and regret in relation to failure. Regardless of what we assign as a loss to the project, the information we need to succeed is tucked inside the completed process. We have merely to seek it out, unravel its mystery and make adjustments.

Let's release the stigma of fear or dread attached to failure. Let's embrace its arrival when it knocks on our door. Let's ask it to come in, enjoy dinner together and talk about the process over coffee. We'll find that failure's wisdom is revealing under the right atmosphere and mindset.

We all know, or know of someone who has tried once and failed. As a result, they have given up and voluntarily walked into the cage of existence they call their life until the end arrives. Their once bright twinkle has dulled and all but vanished simply because they could not get past the stigma they associated with the word failure.

Is this you? If so, change your mind and you'll change your life. Replace the meaning of the word failure today.

Failure will now mean a learning experience, a teaching moment that leads to success, a map of the short cut to where you want to be. It's another beneficial stage in the evolution of our journey here on earth.

Failure is now a worthwhile treasure of information that is helpful to our success. It's pertinent, relevant and sits waiting to be of service.

It's a choice to make this inquiry, but it's extremely important that we make it because herein lies the answer, the fix, the conclusion, the value or the idea. Herein lies the next piece of our journey. Which way will we take? Will it be stepping into the cage of existence or the road to success?

Failure is fantastic and will be one of our great teachers throughout life. Though our meeting may minimize through time based on our application of the wisdom imparted, failure will never cease to whisper its secrets when asked.

Debi A. Davis, co-author of Train The Transcriber, a General Business Transcriber Training Course written by transcribers, for future transcribers. Learn how to be on top of your game by downloading her popular, free E-series, '21 Transcriber Tips in 21 Days' available at http://www.TrainTheTranscriber.com