The belief you gained in yourself in the last lesson will be useful when attempting to overcome the failures you’ll inevitably experience over your lifetime. This lesson deals directly with overcoming failure.

The word failure describes a situation where your desired goals don’t come true at a specific point in time. Many reasons play a part in your goal not being realized. They do not define your value as a person. 

Overcoming Successes Toughest Critic

Let’s break down some of the ideas behind unhealthy views of failure and see how taking a more positive approach can help you realize success:

• If you are trying out for the high school basketball team and don’t make the cut, this doesn’t make you a failure. Therefore, It simply means that under these specific circumstances, the coach didn’t believe that you possessed the necessary skills to play on this particular team at this point.

• However, for this same reason, some people don’t waver or lose confidence regardless of the outcome. This is a very unique skill when overcoming failures.

• You did everything in your power to achieve the outcome. It is likely that you’re not responsible for certain outcomes. Deal with it!

• If you’re not currently doing everything in your power to achieve an outcome, then start doing it today! If you already are, then sit back and relax. Also, take solace in the understanding that you’re doing everything you can and cannot ask more of yourself. 

• In short, what much of the pain stems from when not reaching the desired goal is your attachment to outcomes. If you define your own value and worth as a person by whether or not you make a sports team, you’re setting yourself up for that ugly seven-letter word.

Re-Assess Failure

Take a moment to assess the situation. Is it a deficient skillset or you just need more time. Sometimes, our need for control impacts our judgement. Our you may need to re-tool to grab another skill. Find a way to address it.

The successful person focuses on their “BIG WHY.” This allows address roadblocks relative to the outcomes that they want to achieve. 

The moment you attach your self worth to these outcomes. You’ll likely be overcome with emotion and less capable of using sound logic. This decreases your chances of success later down the road.

To overcome obstacles, you must experience a dramatic shift in your outlook on the meaning of failure and success. 

No matter how much you want to be a Hollywood movie star. You know the steps that you are capable of taking to bring yourself closer to that goal are limited at this point in time. You must subject yourself to a constant state of stress by continually expecting yourself to achieve greater results. 

Patience will be your friend in changing your thinking about these fundamental concepts. It is also a virtue that nearly all successful individuals possess in ample amounts. 

Remember:

1. Never give up.
2. Keep trying.
3. Do the best you can and focus on the process instead of the outcome. The final result will be a success!

In the next module, you’ll learn about the importance of motivation in overcoming obstacles to reach your failures. There are some amazing goals on the horizon. You’ll discover how to get motivated and maintain your motivation for the long haul.

Here’s what you need to do today:

How has your view of failure impacted your thoughts and actions in the past?

Imagine what your life would look like if you were free of the fear of failure.