The Fringe Benefits of Failure

Failure is something we all fear. The idea that we put our hearts and efforts into accomplishing something, and then fall short is one of the most dreaded feelings in the world. JK Rowling's talk was a really important talk for me personally to hear. I fear failing, and honestly, I think that this fear of failing often leads to my failure in putting all my effort into tasks, that way I always have an excuse if I do fail. But I have come to see that by doing this, I am already failing; failing to grow, failing to learn, failing to reach my full potential.

JK Rowling said that "Failure is a means for stripping away the inessential." When we fail, we direct all our energies to what is really important to us. When we hit rock bottom, it can become the bottom foundation on which to begin building something great. It is all in how we look at the situation. In HCSC, we may fail. We may try to put together an event that is a total flop, but in the end it is merely a part of the growing process. A growing pain, if you will. It is impossible to live without failing at something. Every single person who has ever lived, and ever accomplished greatly, has failed at something at some point. What will set us apart in the end is what we do with that failure. We have one of two options:

1. Feel badly for ourselves, and live in fear of failure for the rest of our lives

or

2. Use the failure as a springboard to our next great achievement or moment

While it seems easy in theory, I'm sure it's very hard in practice. But hey, since when was practice ever easy, right? It's the hard things that make us stronger. It's all about how we respond. I challenge everyone, including myself, to let go of the fear of failure, and put ourselves totally into whatever project we are undertaking. Only in doing this can we ever have the hope of reaching greatness.