Is it not true that when a 1 year old falls after attempting her first few steps, we call it learning, not failing, to walk? When a 5 year old falls off his bike we call it learning, not failing, to ride a bike?
And, when a 20 year old doesn't get that first professional job she interviewed for, we call it learning, not failing, to make it in
real world.
So, as you and I continue to progress forward in our life and stumble here or fall down there, isn't it also true that we are learning (not failing) to know, do, and be our best selves?
Learning, as you well know, is a verb, an act of doing something. It is not a static event or moment in time. Learning is
consequence of acting, feeling, understanding and assessing an experience. And in this world, taking action, more often than not, is equated with ‘being on
road to success’.
Equipped with this understanding of what failure really is: learning, and what learning is: a consequence of action, and that that action is
only way to success, then you can easily come to
conclusion that there really is no such thing as failure.
Take this one client's example: "I am terrified to speak in public because I might look, say, or do something stupid and thus fail miserably at my dream of being a professional speaker." I asked this client "Well, are you afraid to learn?"
See, if you like to learn. If you really enjoy seeking new ideas, information and skills, you can eliminate your belief (and fear) of failure forever. Here's how.
I asked my client to re-write her fear of failing statement as a want or wish to learn statement. Here's what she wrote: "I wish to learn" how to speak effectively and profoundly in public (and to all different types of groups) with ease, warmth, and grace. Approaching her goal in this way, my client's energy and focus changed almost immediately. By simply re-wording her goal, she put all her focus and speaking energy on what she wants (to speak effectively and with ease, warmth and grace) and not on what she doesn't want (to look, say or do something stupid in front of a group).