Words are just words but the critical issue is how we define them or apply them in our lives. For example – failure can mean different things to different people just like – success, happiness, problems or hope. Failure is just a word but how we define it has a tremendous impact on the quality of our lives. Think about it – everything that exists today from your home, car, IPhone or your medications exits because someone tried to invent something failed and tried again – they didn’t let failure – or others definition of it determine their attitudes, beliefs or actions.
Others who tried to invent or create something and failed who then gave up as a result of their definition of failure – well – we are still waiting for their discovery to become reality.
The key thing to remember is there are four reactions to failure – 1) give up and move on to something else. 2) See it as a learning opportunity and keep moving forward with new awareness, insight and experience. 3) Remain stuck between these two – waiting, hoping, dreaming that things will miraculously get better with your inaction. and 4) Blame others or circumstances taking no responsibility for the outcomes.
This week’s questions:
1) How do you define failure?
2) How have you reacted to previous failures?
3)What have you learned from previous failures?
4)Are you afraid to fail for some internal or external reason?
5)Have you put off some action, decision, choice or opportunity due to your concern for potential failure? Why?
In His Service, Tim