Friday, April 20, 2012

No Fail Zone

Today's topic is about failure.  The question specifically is, what would you do if you knew you would not fail?  But, before we delve into the main question, I have a word or two about failure.

I have written about failure in this space before.  I shared with you my feelings about Sam's soccer team loosing all their games.  About how even when they were loosing, they were still learning.  That even the most successful people around us have failed.  Think what you want about Donald Trump, he has made millions, lost millions and made them again.  He did not curl up in a ball and say, ooh, I lost all my money I am a failure, end of the line for me.

It is the attitude of accepting that your failure is in some way indicative of you that bothers me.  Failure is an opportunity to reevaluate your path.  Perhaps the path you have chosen isn't the path to where you want to be.  There is always more than one way to get to the end goal.  That said, maybe the goal is where you really want to head to either, something to think about.

I was out for a run the other day.  It was longer than I expected and it was hard.  I was hot and I didn't feel real good.  As I rounded the corner into the home stretch, I told myself, this is hard, I can't do this.  I kept trying to come up with excuses to stop.  Then, I realized what I was doing and I changed my tune.  With every step I told myself, YOU CAN.  It is the home stretch, only 4 more easy blocks, YOU CAN.  Guess what, it got easier. 

If you do not believe that you can do something, then guess what, you can't.  I tell my kids all the time, if you have that attitude (the one of I can't), then don't even bother trying because it won't go well.  You are going to fail, so don't waste your time.

So, to the specific question, I am sort of stumped.   There are things that I would like to do, but I haven't, not so much because I feel I would fail, but because I don't want to put the time and effort in, I don't think that they are a good fit for where I am with my family, etc.  While these things smack of excuses, it isn't the failure I fear.  It is more the time commitment I would need to make to be successful.

I would love to open a yarn store.  Granted failure is a bit of a hindrance in realizing this dream.  Our family could loose a lot of money, and that isn't a risk I am willing to take.  That said, when I think about the work involved in opening one and making is successful, well, I don't think I want to do that either.  It isn't really possible for me to work 6 days a week, at night, and what not.  I just don't really want that "dream" that bad.

Perhaps I am just full of self-denial.  It is something to think about.

Want to see what the other ladies would do?  Check them out at: Froggie, Momarock, and Merrylandgirl.

1 comment:

  1. you're welcome to chat with my friend who owns a yarn store. it's been going strong for over 2 years now. she has 3 young kids, as well.
    i agree that you shouldn't let failure own you. i also try to teach my kids that "can't" is not a word. :)
    Great post!

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