What do you consider to be a failure?

According to Webster’s it is, “falling short, a weakening, a breakdown in operation, neglect or not succeeding.” I want you to think about those definitions for a moment.

Many times we only pay attention to the fact that we fell short so we feel as though we’ve failed. But it’s important to think about WHY we fell short.

Is it simply because we stopped operating and just broke down? Just because we tried once….. or even three times? Does it ever have to be over??? Have you ever said, “I didn’t get it right the first few times so I guess I never will.”

The truth is, your only failure is in giving up.

Many highly successful people have “failed” many, many times before they actually got it right. Athletes, Nobel Prize winners, actors and inventors all had to face the rejection, the failure of things not happening correctly, the first time around.

But the one thing successful people ALL have in common is perseverance. You can never win if you’re afraid to lose! You must take the risk, branch out and keep trying. The only defeat comes from inside of you because you are the only one who can decide to throw in the towel. But there is no need to do so when you realize failure is just one more step towards success.

You aren’t a failure, you are a human. Humans make mistakes and when we learn from them, we can go on to experience great levels of success.

Think about a child. Has any child ever learned to walk on the very first try? Not any that I know of! They don’t even necessarily learn by the 10th try!! But it’s something they want so they keep going after it! Life and society hasn’t taught them how to give up yet. Every step that leads to a fall simply shows them where to readjust. They do it a little bit different the next time, keep practicing and in time they are walking on their own.

Ever wonder why people tell you to take baby steps? It’s because babies take one step and often times fall down. But then they get up and take another step again. That’s what we all need to do….our entire lives!

So get out there and take that next baby step. Don’t let failure keep you down or weaken you. Keep going because to do something, anything, and fail is far better than to do nothing.

So Mr. Webster, I would like to add “Giving Up” to your definition of failure.

Be Free!

Lauri Sompres