Fail and Move On

Yesterday I failed. It was humbling. Embarrassing. Annoying. Enraging. Depressing. I ran the gamut of emotions. I spent an entire day of my life wallowing because I didn’t do well on a quiz. 

So what? 

I learned to always use every advantage I can and at my disposal because I forgot to yesterday. I learned not to rush because I rushed yesterday. I learned to read the requirements because I skimmed them yesterday. 

I own my failure. And though I wallowed for a time I’m going to use it to propel me to act. That test was not a gauge of my ability nor my spirit. But it was an accurate depiction of my arrogance and bravado. I could have done better but I didn’t. And I accept that snapshot of me at this point in my career. 

The times I have failed in my rowing career have been my defining moments. The bitter taste of missing the moment, lacking foresight, taking things for granted shaped me into the determined and ferocious competitor that I was at the height of my career. Why should my business career be any different? Could I expect to pivot into corporate life after 17 years in rowing without failing? Perhaps I did and that is precisely why it happened. 

This is a back pocket moment. My eyes are open. I will achieve my goals. But I will also fail a lot along the way. And those failures will inform how I grow and persevere on my way to the top. 

What’s your most recent failure story?