Failure and success often go hand in hand. It’s important when we look at our failures to also look for the successes that arise. They are often concurrent, imminent, or even resultant. Seeing these successes is important to keep our spirits strong and help us move forward, even when the future seems dark.
Success concurrent with failure
Michael Jordan says, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” This sentiment is reminiscent of the author who, when asked how he planned to find a publisher, said, “My goal is to be rejected 100 times this year.” He found a taker after the first few months without discouragement because he was realistic about how many times he needed to fail to succeed.
Success following failure
Steve Jobs was fired from Apple early in his career because he was too demanding and authoritarian. He took stock of his priorities and renewed his determination to be a good leader. Rehired as the CEO of Apple, he went on to be one of the world’s greatest innovators and businessmen. Jobs says, “I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter into one of the most creative periods of my life. I’m pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn’t been fired from Apple.”
Success resulting from failure
Oprah Winfrey was fired as a news anchor because she would get too close to her news stories. “I once went back…after covering a family that had been burned out and brought them some of my blankets and stuff. And the assistant news director…told me…that if I did that again and they found out about it, I could be fired because I was involving myself in other people’s stories. Which is true, you’re there to cover the story, not get involved in it….” But that is what Oprah does best. Getting fired led her to realize the one thing she had the most success with.
A mixed bag
Personally, this has been a hella five years. The list of failures is long. Failed business, divorce, son’s suicide, loss on the sale of my house, crippling debt, moved back into my parents’ home. Those are the biggies, but there are others that were smaller. Ongoing issues with self-control and self-care, lack of follow through with short-term goals, and other daily misdeeds that add up quickly.
The thing is though, there were many successes as well. I found a great job, as well as a new and fresh relationship. All my children are working and independent. I paid off my consumer debt, started investing and saving, and completed a second master’s with honors.
The failures that lead to changes in our lives are just a part of the story. There is little that can’t be overcome – maybe not directly or immediately, but in time and maybe in a different direction.
Make a list of the successes you have had and read over them carefully and often. Focus on them, especially in the wake of failure. Your successes will follow you if you invite them!