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Have you ever read up on Sara Blakely? She was the one who created SPANX, you know, the OG of shapewear.
Anyways, years ago I was reading up on her (I am fascinated by successful, young, female entrepreneurs and I like to learn about their journey), and I read something very interesting about her upbringing.
Growing up, her father would ask her, everyday, “what did you fail at today?” If she didn't have a so-called failure for example- falling down from the monkey bars, or misspelling a word on a quiz- he would be disappointed.
Her father knew that so many people become paralyzed by the fear of failure, and that fear hinders people from achieving their big gaols and big dreams.
A few quotes:
Michael Jordan- “twenty six times I have been trusted to take the game wining shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed”
Theodore Roosevelt- “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed”
All this talk about failure you think I'd be encouraging you to fail..and I am.
I say this with the upmost love and sincerity…go out there and FAIL.
You read that right, the F-word thats often hidden and shushed. Here’s the twist- failing isn't the end of the road, its actually the golden ticket to success!
Let’s explore why failing fast, failing hard and failing forward can transform your life.
Before you start imagining color correction disasters that belong in sci-fi movies, or a series of unfortunate events, let me clarify what I mean by failure. It’s not about falling into an abyss of defeat, its about the pilgrimage towards self discovery, innovation and resilience.
Trailblazing Innovation:
History is a testament to innovation being birthed from the ashes of failure. From Edison's 1,000 light bulb attempts to Dyson's 5,126 vacuum prototypes, every misstep brought them closer to brilliance. Failure opens doors to uncharted territories of creativity.
Anatomy of Growth: Picture a seed buried beneath the soil. Its journey from darkness to light is marked by struggle. Similarly, our personal growth flourishes amidst failures. It teaches us humility, the importance of continuous learning, and the art of adaptation.
Resilience: The Unseen Superpower:
A failure is like a storm – it tests the foundation of our aspirations. Those who weather the storm emerge stronger. Every setback survived nurtures an invisible superpower: resilience. With each fall, you rise more determined and unyielding.
Fail Forward- The 3 Step Tango
Fail Hard: The Intrepid Experimentation
Imagine this: you're standing on the edge of an unexplored territory. Instead of tiptoeing, take a flying leap. Fail hard, and fail intentionally. Here's why:
Escaping the Comfort Zone: Playing it safe leads to stagnation. Leaping into the unknown triggers growth. Experiment with bold ideas, daring techniques, and unconventional strategies. In the realm of failure, even the biggest flops are stepping stones toward mastery.
Embracing the Unknown: Growth and success reside beyond the boundaries of familiarity. Fail hard to venture into uncharted territories. These failures, while initially daunting, are blessings in disguise. They peel back the layers of uncertainty, revealing gems of knowledge and experience.
Building Courage and Tenacity: Each hard-fought failure adds a brick to your fortress of courage. The ability to face defeat head-on transforms you into a warrior of tenacity. The more you confront failure, the more resilient and fearless you become.
Fail Fast: The Art of Swift Recovery
Ever heard the phrase "time is of the essence"? It rings true when it comes to failure. Fail fast, and here's why it's essential:
Accelerated Learning: Rapid failure means swift feedback. It shortens the gap between theory and practice, allowing you to fine-tune your strategies promptly. Failures become your mentors, guiding you toward smarter decisions.
Efficient Progression: When you fail fast, you eliminate the dead ends swiftly. You're not wasting time on fruitless endeavors. Instead, you're paving the way for progress by discarding what doesn't work.
Cultivating Adaptability: In the era of fast-paced change, adaptability is the survival tool. Failing fast trains you to pivot, improvise, and recalibrate your approaches. This skill becomes invaluable as you navigate the dynamic landscape of your journey.
Fail Forward: The Redemption of Resilience
Now, let's address the final movement of this symphony: failing forward. It's not about falling gracefully; it's about rising resolutely. Here's why it's indispensable:
Reframing the Narrative: Failing forward means extracting lessons from setbacks. It's about flipping the script – failures become anecdotes of growth and transformation. You're the protagonist in a story of triumph over adversity.
Learning from Mistakes: Every failure is a treasure chest of wisdom. Fail forward to unlock it. Analyze what went awry, discern the missing pieces, and adapt. As you do so, you're turning your failures into stepping stones to success.
The Momentum of Resilience: Failing forward propels you forward with renewed vigor. Instead of wallowing in defeat, you're sprinting toward your goals with a backpack full of resilience. Your setbacks are the fuel that powers your momentum.
Remember this: failure isn't a verdict; it's a compass pointing toward growth. Failing hard, failing fast, and failing forward are the keys to unlocking the door to the extraordinary. With every failure, you gain knowledge, wisdom, and the tenacity to redefine what's possible.
So, march forward with the banner of failure held high. Fail boldly, recover swiftly, and march resolutely. Because in the tapestry of achievement, the threads of failure are the most vibrant, intricate, and resilient. Welcome the symphony of trial and error – it's your melody of triumph in the making.
Until next time,
Happy Hair Coloring!
-Araz