Failure is an option?

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

About two months ago, in reaction to a post I wrote, my good friend, Dr. Ken Munson wrote about failure, or more appropriately, the fear of failure.  To paraphrase his words, he said that sometimes people are afraid to take chances or challenge themselves to become better because they don’t want to face the possibility of failure.  The end result is that people end up playing it safe, because to play it safe and never face failure is better (and less painful) than taking risks or challenging one’s self and having to feel the sting of failing.

It’s a great point — people who fail more often are likely people who challenge themselves more often.  You’ll also find that the people who fail more often are likely the people who seem to succeed more often.  Those people who continually challenge themselves and experience the failures and successes are likely people who are generally more satisfied with their lives as well.

It gives you something to think about.  Failure is an option — however, I want to make it clear that there are different kind of failures.  There is failure when you are taking risks and placing new challenges before yourself and then there is failure when you are lacking of accountability and responsibility, and so therefore you fail out of playing the role of the victim.  Failing a college course because you are lazy and don’t exert any effort is not the kind of failure that indicates you are on the path to success!

Don’t be afraid to fail.  Failure is indeed an option — an option that will enhance your ability to overcome the adversity that you will undoubtedly face many times in your life!

Best wishes!

-Victor

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