Failure and mistakes have been popping up in a lot of conversations I’ve had recently. I think, as women especially, we get so hard on ourselves when we make a mistake. There is something we all need to know about failures. What I learned from reading #GirlBoss a few years back is that success and failure aren’t black and white. They’re gray. Only YOU can define if you have failed or succeeded. Because within all of our failures, we learn big lessons. And that is valuable! Not shameful!
Here is a little pick-me-up I wrote that I shared with a dear friend that literally changed her outlook, and I knew I needed to start sharing this with more people because we need to hear it! We need to stop being so hard on ourselves!
Here’s what you need to know about failures.
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Give yourself permission to fail. To suck. To make every mistake in the book. Because when you let go of always being perfectly in control, the most amazing things happen. You learn. A lot. You grow. A lot. And you realize that life wouldn’t be anything magical without mistakes or failures. It would be downright boring. So forgive yourself for your misjudgments, and get out there and take every chance and make every mistake. For that’s when you’ll actually start living and finally succeeding.
-McKenzie Truman
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I’ve decided it’s time I stop beating myself for my mistakes and letting them define me. I define me. Those who only see me for my failures choose to see me stuck by what I’ve done before. I will not let their judgments be how I see myself. I’ve moved on and I no longer care whether they will let me or not.
I am growing and changing daily. I strive to be the best I can. And I will fail along the way. And that’s okay.
I forgive myself and let go of the past and walk into my future: flawed, excited and ready for the magic to happen.
Taking risks goes hand in hand with failures and mishaps. They’re bound to happen. But should that stop you from going for your dreams?
I challenge you to give yourself permission to fail. To forgive yourself and move on to a life that is flawed and totally, unapologetically you.
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