From Failure to Flourishing
Failure. It's a word that often brings a sense of dread and disappointment. But what if we could redefine it as a steppingstone to flourish and achieve success? You know, failure has always been such a scary word for me. I used to think about all the times things didn’t work out, and it really affected my confidence. Negative thoughts would overshadow anything positive, and it was easy to create a discouraging narrative for myself. Viewing something as a failure led to repetitive negative thoughts, which made me more risk-averse and inclined to pursue only those goals I was sure I could achieve, thus avoiding failure regardless of the consequences.
But I want to share how my perspective on failure has changed over time. As a new business owner, I’ve started to see failure in a different light, a learning experience that paves the way for future successes.
Let me tell you about a recent experience. A company reached out to me directly to respond to an RFP for a big contract, which felt pretty great. The proposal was really demanding, requiring lots of components and a ton of effort from our small business. In the end, we weren’t selected. My first reaction was to feel like we had failed. But then I remembered this quote I keep on my computer: “You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself.” It’s a reminder that we control how we react.
““You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself.” ”
As a new business owner, embracing failure has become more prominent in my life. Now, failure isn’t so daunting – it’s just another step towards success. Sure, failure can happen for many reasons, but if we learn, adapt, and move forward, it turns into a chance for growth.
While reflecting on my recent failure and attempting to correct course, I began to reassess my approach to business acquisition. I discovered the podcast "Made for Mothers: A Podcast for Moms in Business." Although its target audience is mothers, its principles apply broadly. One particular episode titled "Step into the Room: How Community Fuels Confidence, Leadership, and Growth" caught my attention. Mariah Stockman discusses the significance of community in business, emphasizing that there is ample opportunity for everyone. She argues that the communities we establish yield returns on investment by generating more business and greater opportunities.
Inspired by this perspective, I started formulating a new strategy. Historically, I have been reluctant to leverage my network or reach out to individuals personally. While I excel in smaller group settings, pushing myself to engage more broadly has always felt challenging. However, as part of my effort to rebound from this failure, I am committed to prioritizing meetings with people who share similar values and operate within the same arena.
How do you plan to recover and learn from your most recent failure, persevere, and transform failure into an opportunity to flourish?