Failure is a derogatory term. Nobody wants to be a failure. Many of us go to great lengths to avoid being “failures.” But have you ever thought about what “failure” really means?
The issue isn’t failure itself. Fear of failing is often the culprit. You must shift your mindset and accept that failure is a necessary component of success. One such example is set by the astounding filmmaker, Raven Magwood, who literally transformed all the obstacles in her life to achieve milestones in her career.
Raven explains that failure should be considered from a different angle—as a new step in our lives that leads us to whatever we do next. Not everything we do will turn out the way we want it to. However, if you are failing, you must be the type of person who is willing to take chances. As a result, you’re much more likely to realize your full potential.
We asked Raven about the things she acted upon and how she transformed her thinking to perceive failure in a positive way. She handed out some important tips to us.
1. Character is shaped through failure
Failure is typically the most motivating in the circumstances leading up to a major win. People who are ready for it can achieve success in leaps and bounds. To consistently generate value, you must be determined, purposeful, and most importantly, have character. Failure builds character far more effectively than any affirmation or flimsy goal. While each achievement will help you advance a little further, failure will shape your career and personality more than anything else.
2. Failure is a result of attempting
The amount of setbacks and failures you’ve encountered is the greatest method to gauge your development. If you haven’t failed yet, you aren’t trying hard enough. Failure is the blacksmith’s hammer that sharpens success’ sword. You have to fail at least a few times if you want to get very good at something.
If you look at all of history’s great men and women, you’ll discover that they all have one thing in common: they failed miserably and repeatedly. There are a variety of estimations, but they all fall somewhere in the neighborhood of a lot. Whether it’s Oprah, Michael Jordan, J.K. Rowling, or Serena Williams, every super successful individual has experienced great failure as well.
3. Seeing Failure as a tool is a key to success
When you take the sinking, frantic feeling of failure and internalize it, you shrink yourself. You hand over control to something outside of yourself. Learning how to realize why you failed and how to correct it is the key to success.
