What is your biggest fear? Now, this is a loaded question with a lot of possible answers, but If you were to ask any random person that same question, chances are many will tell you their biggest fear is failure. Even saying or reading the word is enough to increase stress and make shoulders tense. It can be hard to understand the weight behind the word, especially for those who do not consider failure one of their greatest fears. But regardless of your relationship to the idea, when one takes the time to look back and evaluate why such a simple word has so much power and fear behind it, things start to become clearer and then the idea of failing becomes less haunting.
Growing up, we are taught from a very young age to fear to fail. From the pressure of testing in schools, competing in sports, arts and even to competing with your peers in college or university and beyond in our careers, we have been raised and conditioned to function using success driven behavior.
This is prevalent in the way we compete for grades and honors in academics, job positions, raises as well as in the way we talk and interact to those above and below our own position of authority. One of the most obvious examples can be seen with our use of social media and the behaviors of constant comparison to others and the pressures to have and show-off a 'picture-perfect' life.
Of course, learning to use our competitive nature, working hard and striving for success in our lives is important and should be encouraged, especially as we continue to navigate the real world. But, just as it's important to encourage and stress success, we should change our perspective on success to recognize that failure is often a stepping stone to success and that the path to success is not one free of struggle.
After all, changing our perspective of success to find inspiration from our failures can ultimately combat the fears and feelings of inadequacy and helplessness so many of us experience on a daily basis.
So, change the way you approach the idea or possibility of failure. Instead of associating dread with failure, associate joy, and excitement of new opportunities to come and see failure as a gift. I know you might've been with the idea till now, and are probably wondering "Where and How can failure ever be a gift when all it does is bring stress and anxiety?"
Failure is a beautiful and powerful thing. Terrifying yet beautiful, opening the doors to hope and the potential for success. So, the next time you fail or are fearing the possibility of failure in your future, instead of panicking, shift your focus to see failure as a gift. Recognize what a gift it is to fail, to learn to get up after falling down. And how amazing it is to have the opportunity to dust yourself off, try again and feel fulfilled when you eventually obtain success after experiencing and learning from your past failures.
