Overcoming failure
Could there really be a key to overcoming failure?
Some kind of a failure repellent maybe? Or a preventative
measure to failing, a sort of prophylactic remedy?
What if I could tell you that indeed there is. But there is
more to it. The catch is not in never failing, but rather not realizing
failure…
Still seems too vague an answer?
Let’s take two steps back and redefine failure shall we?
Failure is a state of lost hope in a cause. It is the moment
when one gives up on trying because there is neither any hope left nor does
there seem to be any chance of succeeding. It is because of this reasoning that
it is argued that failure is a choice; and justifiably so. You choose to give
in and you choose to quit.
Failure’s blindspot
Now, failure’s blindspot is one that hides in plane sight.
If you are in the process of trying and acting on your plan
it is not considered failure yet, right? This is because the plan is still in
transit and at the end of the day it could actually end up being a success. In
essence, as long as you are trying you still have not failed yet.
Keys to beating failure
Realizing the destination
The first key to overcoming failure is to realize the
intended destination that would be defined as being a “success.” Success is not
a route. There are many routes that can produce a single outcome. Imagine it as
a journey towards London, New York or some other city. There are several ways
you could get there. You could use one of the several multitudes of roads that
lead to the city or you could still go by air.
Now, the major problem most people encounter is that they
have defined success as being both the route and the destination. With this
mentality, if your flight to the city of success is delayed you will consider
it a failure and you feel dejected right at the start of the journey.
Instead, you fail to realize that you could take the road
route and if that ‘fails’ use another different road. You have probably heard of the cliché phrase:
“If at first you do not succeed, try, try and try again”
The only problem with this phrase is the implementation
after a misinterpretation of the idea. It is critical to know that trying and
trying again is not enough to achieve success and beating failure. You need
tact, knowledge, information and understanding about the trials you are
implementing.
This is fully explained in the second key to beating
failure:
Tact
The second key to beating failure is tact. Hard work alone
is not enough. If you are going to work hard towards your goal but without tact
then you are going to waste buckets of sweat over something you could have
achieved with just a cup.
“Insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”- A. Einstein.
This is very applicable to failing. If you are going to tread
over and over on the exact same route whilst failing again and again then your
hard word is being backed by ignorance. How dare you combine hard work with
ignorance.
If the road you chose to take you to London is a dead end,
then why continuously walk down the exact same route over and over again?
Ignorance is not an excuse and neither will failure exempt
nor pity you for your ignorance’s sake. Use tact and explore different routes
to your destination. Continuously acquire knowledge about the success you seek.
Never stop just because a single route has proven itself fruitless.
As mentioned before and I will make mention of it again; the
ultimate success is a destination. A destination whose leading routes may vary.
Someone else can accomplish succinctly your exact accomplishment but with a
different route and approach to yours altogether.
So why limit yourself? Never give up on a dream. You will
get there.
Keeping a steadfast hold on the critical first two keys, it
takes us to the third key to overcoming failure:
Never say die
It has already been mentioned that failure takes its form
only when one stops trying and all hope is lost.
Many times people give in to hopelessness because there will
be no seemingly possible route left. However, that should not deter you or your
hope. Because you perceived it means you
deemed it possible!
When the world’s current technological advancements cannot
comprehend your dream that is not your failure, but rather a failure of the
world to catch up!
After all, it is what dreams are meant to be. That is why
they are called dreams. They go beyond the imaginable and are meant to stretch
the way this world perceives each and every aspect of life.
Imagine how absurd one would have sounded 100 years ago
telling people that we could make camp on the moon for a couple of months.
Never limit yourself
into having dreams that cover up for today and tomorrow. A dream should never
be about putting a few cents or even thousands into your wallet. Imagine
bigger!
Dreams should be generational. Think 1, 2, or 3 decades from
now, aim to leave a permanent mark on the planet. This is why it is important
to develop purpose.
Purpose
A purpose is a meaning in life. It is reason for existence.
It is a reflection of your being.
Purpose is not just success, it is reason for success. A
reason for every objective and reason even for the investment of strength, time
and finances.
Often, there is a misconception about the differentiation
between purpose and benefit.
Going to work from eight to five everyday is for the sole benefit
of earning a means to eat, drink, travel, tour and survive. That benefit is
called a salary. It is a benefit in life, a benefit worth working hard for.
We all invest years in education and academia to acquire the
knowledge that will help us achieve the benefits of life. It is not for
everyone and it is not given for free. This is why it is called a ‘benefit.’
Those that have invested more of their time in education,
knowledge and qualifications also enjoy the benefit of sitting on top of the
food chain i.e fatter pay cheques.
Now, purpose is when your target for achievement goes beyond
the benefits of a salary and your vision for income goes beyond a weekly,
monthly or annual basis.
A salary will expire when you retire but a purpose will last
as long as you live. Some see their purpose even lasting several more decades
after they are deceased.
A purpose lies within the heart and unlike an ordinary job,
even without a boss or a board of directors, the will to work and push on
remains strong.
This takes us to the sixth key which was mentioned in the
introduction. As was eluded earlier, a way to beat failure is by not recognizing
it at all.
There is no such thing as failure
When a goal becomes a purpose driven it is fueled by a
ridiculous amount of patience. Before the whole idea is misinterpreted, it is
important to first define what patience is.
What is patience?
Patience is not just waiting, it is the right attitude
whilst waiting. Being idle cannot be classified as patience.
Patience is not when you go on hold, it is your goal that is
seemingly on ‘pause’ whilst you are busy engineering whatever will push it
forward. Patience is hard work because you will actually do more whilst you
‘wait.’
I would go on and on
about patience but that would be beyond the context of this article. The art of
patience is a different topic altogether covered in another post.
So back to our topic; not realizing failure.
With a purpose in check, patience in abundance and keeping
in mind other stated keys, giving up is never an option. It does not even come
to mind.
It is like the positive version of ignorance. An essential
one.
As Coco Chanel said;
“Success is often achieved by those that do not know that failure is inevitable.”
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