The KC CALL

Handling Failure

AUDREY SAUNDERS By Audrey Saunders Special To THE CALL

Failure is defined as the lack of success or the inability to meet an expectation. I don’t think I know anyone who navigates all the curve balls in life without experiencing some disappointment. At some point everybody is going to try to reach a goal, try something new, or maybe even attempt to create something that’s never been done before.

You may decide to step out of the box and do something new and creative. Or you may decide to do something that you’ve always wanted to do. This could be a new business venture, a new job, starting a new relationship, trying out for a sports team, or presenting a new idea to your boss. If you want to be successful, go for it! Go big or go home. Unfortunately, you will go home. You will fall flat on your face. When this happens, you can either become discouraged and give up, or you can figure out where you went wrong and try again. See, failure is not the issue. What’s important is how you respond to the failure. What will you do when you experience failure? Will you let it get the best of you?

I remember many years ago, there was a time when I was looking for a home for myself and my children. I had a time limit to move so I was frantically looking. I found a house that I felt like I could afford. The house was really nice. So I filled out all the paperwork and then I was told that I couldn’t get the house. I was crushed. I had my heart set on that house. I received the phone call when I was at work. I calmly hung up the phone, got up, walked to the restroom and cried my eyes out. I was super disappointed. I felt like I was failing my children. I was running out of time. It was my responsibility to find a place for us to live. So, after I had my secret cry, I decided I had to get back up on the horse and keep looking and it paid off. Eventually I found a house that was even better than the one I originally wanted.

Of course, I’ve had many other failures since this happened, and before this happened, but I’ve learned how to deal with them. First of all, don’t beat yourself up. Failures and disappointments happen. You are not alone. Don’t feel as though it was your fault. Many times people connect failure with self esteem. Just because whatever you attempted didn’t turn out like you thought it would, doesn’t mean you are less than. It means you had the guts to go after what you wanted. That’s a good thing!

Failure is also a way to learn. It’s called trial and error. Think about what could have caused you to be unsuccessful. Figure out what could have gone wrong. Reassess your goals and decide whether you want to try going down a different path, or keep going forward on the same path, but make some adjustments. What have you learned about yourself? Are you resiliant? Are you honest enough to face why the failure happened?

Be sure to create a plan going forward. Yes, you might need to take some time to lick your wounds but don’t take too long. Get back up and continue to forge ahead. Your ability to keep going is the key. Figure it out and get up! Pray your way through and get your direction from God! Success is probably right around the corner.

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2022-07-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://kccallnews.pressreader.com/article/281612424094664

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