Falling Forward

Happy Saturday! I had a wonderful week and weekend; I spent time with the kiddos, had a busy work week, and attended a fantastic marriage conference. However, this week was different; the difference was my optimism, forward-thinking, and leaning into falling forward. One may ask, “Falling Forward?” Well, it is a concept in which you wrap your mind around managing failures in life.

The fact of the matter is that failure is inevitable. If you are sitting here reading this article with your chest out thinking, not me, I never fail…sorry to inform you, no failure is evidence that you are not trying—a tough pill to swallow for some. I can give you some real-life examples of seeing failure through:

·      No one talks about the failures Michael Jordan encountered more than his successes

·      Reggie Jackson struck out 2600 times in baseball, the most in history, but people remember the home runs

·      Thomas Edison failed one thousand times, but the 1001 try produced the light bulb

The point is that no one is perfect. Perfection is an illusion, but excellence is a practice. I cannot imagine my life had I not taken risks. I can think back to failures, a whole boat load but nothing warms my heart more than discussing overcoming barriers. This includes breaking through glass ceilings and sharing my mistakes so others can avoid making the same mistakes. Isn’t that what life is all about? Learning, teaching, mastering, and sharing experiences make our journey robust.

“If I'm going to fall, I don't want to fall back on anything except my faith. I want to fall forward. At least this way, I'll see what I will hit. Fall forward.”

~Denzel Washington

When you take the time to learn and lean into life’s trials, you can add various tools to your toolbox that you can use to build. A smooth ride is okay, but typically for only a particular time. You can build character, tenacity, and wisdom when things do not go as anticipated. You get an opportunity to utilize critical thinking and creativity.

Stop for a moment and think about a time when a missed opportunity was a blessing in disguise. A job that you did not get that pushed you to open a new business. A relationship that did not work out that allowed you to meet your new spouse, and the list continues. Sometimes, we must practice patience, find the lesson, and ride the wave.

The call to action, besides falling forward, is to search for the silver lining, an advantage that comes from a difficult or unpleasant situation. This may not come naturally; however, practice can create healthier reactions to failure. We have a choice daily on how we respond to life; you should choose wisely. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude. Here are a couple of tips to help you get started on your journey:

1.      Release the need to control everything and everyone – make plans A, B, and even C if you have to. Learn to roll with punches in the midst of it all.

2.      Communication is golden – most disappointment comes from unmet expectations; use your voice to tell others the who, what, when, why, and how.

3.      Use all available tools and resources – we are at a time when we have access to many options that can assist along the way, but what good is access that is not utilized? It’s no good at all.

4.      Do not just go through it; grow through it – document your journey. Whenever I speak to people professionally and personally, I stress that they should lean into relationships to gain knowledge and seek valuable feedback, even if they do not want to hear the opportunities presented. Use Alexa, Siri, Outlook, etc., to stay organized and hold yourself accountable.

5.      Prune – as the seasons change, pruning is necessary; whatever you attach yourself to impacts your present and future. Think about your circle, the books you read, and your goals. If they aren’t aligned, make the changes to lighten your load and better position yourself for the future.

Lastly, enjoy each day, and plan things to look forward to. Growth starts with planting seeds, doing the work, and waiting for the harvest. When you prepare, include the fall, the rise, and the recovery. Be realistic and see it through; the most challenging part of the climb is the first step. I will see you at the top! Cheers to the weekend, growth, and falling forward.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

~Nelson Mandela