Don’t Fail At Failure This Year

I guess we can all agree on one thing: Failure sucks

If you set a goal, you’d much rather achieve it than not, right? Whatever you do though, don’t fail AT failure.

Huh? Read on.

I read this famous quote about ‘failure being the key to success’ with some scepticism. I kind of understand. You have to ‘have a go’ and often you’ll land on your backside. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go again. That’s how champions do it. Still sucks though.

Unless that is, we get much better at one aspect of failure. The only place I see it done brilliantly is at the Olympics. It’s there that failure is embraced and it’s what we should do.

WE HAVE TO BECOME BRILLIANT AT LOSING.

Someone loses the 100-metre sprint and they come second. Yet they are beaming with pride. They wave and hug and pose for a million photos. They are delighted when they step up to the podium, having lost and everyone cheers. They get ‘Silver’, or ‘Bronze,’ and kiss it.

That’s the attitude I love about losing. You should be celebrating it and not skulking off into the shadows, head hanging low with gritted teeth. You should be determined to fight back, seek revenge and triumph another day.

YES, BE RESILIENT, BUT CHANGE THE TONE.

If you did your best in trying to win and you came second, then celebrate that! Hug each other, be generous with high-fives. Congratulate the team on the effort, hard work and positive intent. Talk about what went right and brainstorm about what could have been done better.

Buy the prospect who rejected you a fabulous lunch and thank them. Get as much feedback as possible. Do it with a smile, gratefulness and optimism in your step.

I just do not understand why the rugby folk did not organise a ticker-tape parade to welcome the Wallabies back to Australia after their World Cup Final loss to the All Blacks in 2015. The ground staff at Auckland Airport gave the All Blacks the first of thousands of hakas when they landed. But the Wallabies kind of skulked back into town. Why? They were brilliant! As an Aussie, I feel that they lifted our hearts and ignited the nation. Yes, the All Blacks were the best team at the end of it and they did a fantastic job. But being second in the world is nothing to sneer at. There is no shame in that defeat. Just honour and pride.

That’s my whole point. Failure sucks! But embrace that failure where you did your best with open arms. Lift your arms in triumph and appreciate the great effort involved. Learn from it and build on it. With pride.

It’s a genuine gift, failure. Sure, it sucks and we all hate it but when you did your best there is an opportunity to celebrate.

Hug. Learn. Re-energise. Be grateful. And go again! 

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