When I think back to my work life, I can easily recall my many failures. At the time, they all felt terrible and were filled with self-recrimination and doubt.
But with a little time, I could see how to use the information gleaned from failure to try something new. It was how I ultimately navigated to build my firm in a way that was both satisfying and successful.
But what constitutes failure now? Wow, that’s actually a pretty easy question (admission: I’ve thought a lot about this).
Failure is:
- Not learning something new
- Not challenging myself
- Not helping others
- Resisting change
- Taking myself too seriously
- Not feeling gratitude
- Being too self-critical
- Not interacting with others
- Ignoring all the reasons to be joyful
I could go on and on…but I think you get the point.
As we walk the path toward the end of our lives, it’s time to take stock, make adjustments to our thinking, and focus our energies on living fully—with meaning (however you define it)—and purpose.
At this point, failure is not an option.
