Failure = Reassessment, Reinvention, and Reassurance
Growing up I can’t begin to tell you how fearful of a child I was. I’m talking about scared of the dark, talking in public, dancing in the front of class, and everything that comes with the attention being on you. Little did I know that as I grow older fear would creep into other areas of my life. It shifted from being afraid of the dark to being afraid of change and the big one for every one AFRIAD OF FAILURE. In due time I will share my personal story of how I overcame my fear of failure.
Failure is inevitable and in todays world of social media where everyone is trying to prove how awesome their life is we can sometimes fall into a trap for showcasing one the good parts of us. But no one and I mean no one lives a perfect life. We sometimes want to show the great things happening in our life but truth is we and others really learn from our failures. And we should always be ok with sharing our failures. Failure is not a sign of weakness as some may think but actually a sign of growth. Here are 3 reasons I feel its important to acknowledge and share your failures.
Reassessment
Reassessment in our personal and professional lives is a MUST. It’s like in school. Teachers assess you to see what you know and how must information you’ve retain. If you are not meeting the assessment goals a good teacher will go back and find new was and techniques to help you achieve your goals. We should think of life in the same way. Each time we fail in life or in business it gives us an opportunity to reassess what works. Sometimes it’s not about giving up but finding new and better ways to do something. Acknowledging our failures allows us to reassess what we need to do in order to improve. #Improvement
Reinvention
When people, places, things, attitudes, and beliefs no longer serves us it should leave us no other option but to “reinvent” our situations. Sometimes we need a change of direction or to start over and create something new. As a creative entrepreneur I am constantly in reinvention mode. When an idea, program, or concept is no longer work or doesn’t work at all, I invent new was to introduce my idea. Using the same ideas, patterns, and concepts will keep my business stagnate. A great example is my teaching style. Last season I felt a disconnected between me and my dance students and I was really messing with my head because I’ve always had great connection with my students. After conversation with my mentor and other trusted colleagues I realized while over the years my students have changed my approach to teach had not. I was walking into the studio with the same attitude and ways that I did 5 year ago and the truth is kids today are different for kids 3 years ago. It forced me to reinvent the way I teach my class. When I did that I instantly saw my students respond to me differently and build that connection with my students that I use to having. Truth is I was starting to fail as a educator but that wasn’t and option for me. I quickly found a way to make better connections with my students and that was by reinvent my approach to teaching. #Growth
Reassurance
Reassurance is “the act of removing doubt or fear”. It’s confirmation that we are on the right path. And sometimes sharing our past or present failures with others can be a reassurance to them that they too are on the right path. There are individuals who refuse to share their failures because they think of failure as a weakness. But truth is our failures can be a testimony and motivation for others. In 2017 I was given the opportunity to be a guest speaker at my high schools Black History Program. I remember being so nerves and preparing for weeks what I would to the students and teachers about. When it was time for me to speak wit the first set of students something come over me and I put down my sheet of paper that had all the words I had prepared and all my accomplishments I was going to share and I just spoke for the heart. And what came out was all of my past FAILURES. I spoke candidly about the decisions I made that turned into regret and the failures that led me to where I am today. Little did I know that those words would touch not only the students in a big way but the teachers on campus as well. Still today I have people that tell me my speech was empowering and guest what that ENTIRE speech was about failure. Your failures can be uplifting words to other. #Inspire