The process of dealing with failure is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Why? Well…first off…I fail..a lot! That is just a part of life when you’ve got ADHD and you’ve got an entrepreneurial mindset. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, because as a teacher, I see how not being able to cope with daily trials negatively impacts our kids…which in turn, impacts society. Something has happened to our youth over the course of the past few years that is a growing concern for me, other educators, and should be for parents too. Students are not able to handle failure. At the first signs of failure, students go into a rampage, or totally shutdown and withdraw into themselves and cut everybody (including teachers and parent) off.
Students today, and many adults, don’t understand that failure is not a sign of defeat; it’s a testament to our willingness to try. Each stumble, setback, or disappointment is not a mark of our inadequacy but an opportunity for growth.
So how can we (and our children) learn to cope with failure? Glad you asked! Here are some practical steps that I’ve incorporated into my life over the past 53 years to put failure in its rightful place so that we can focus on achieving our milestones and goals as we journey towards the vision we have for lives.
Understand That Failure is an Event, Not a Destiny:
It’s easy to let one misstep overshadow our entire existence. But in reality, failure is merely a moment in time, not a lifelong sentence. Every successful individual has encountered failure on their path to greatness. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, focus on the lessons learned. Treat failure as a stepping stone towards improvement rather than a roadblock to success. By dissecting the experience, we gain valuable insights that propel us forward.
Zoom Out and Appreciate the Big Picture:
When failure strikes, it’s crucial to zoom out and gain perspective. Yes, that business venture may have flopped, the romantic date may have turned into a fiasco, and 3 minutes into the job interview everything went to turdsville… but you’re healthy, your family loves you, and all you friends love your homemade pizza! By acknowledging the abundance in our lives, we diminish the power of failure to dictate our self-worth. Embrace gratitude for the countless blessings and remember that failure is just one chapter in the grand narrative of life.
Ignore the Naysayers and Embrace Your Resilience:
Society often dictates that failure is synonymous with shame or incompetence. But who are we living for? We have to start rejecting the noise of external judgment and embrace our intrinsic worth. You possess the resilience, intelligence, and resourcefulness to overcome any challenge. Don’t let the opinions of others overshadow your inner strength. Remember, God doesn’t make mistakes…and he made you. Trust in your abilities, stay true to your vision, and let your resilience shine through.
Wisdom From The Word
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. ~ Proverbs 24:16
This verse speaks to the resilience of the righteous and emphasizes that setbacks and failures are not the end but opportunities for renewal and growth. Here, God let’s us know that everyone experiences failure, but we have ability to rise again, refusing to be defeated by adversity. This passage encourages us to persevere in the face of failure, knowing that with determination and faith, we can overcome any obstacle and continue moving forward on our journey.
Bottom Line Y’all…
Failure is not the measure of our worth but a catalyst for growth. By reframing failure as a temporary setback, appreciating the abundance in our lives, and rejecting external judgment, we reclaim our power to live boldly and authentically. Embrace failure as a teacher, not a tormentor, and watch how it transforms your journey towards success and fulfillment.
Mitch Fairchild 
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