Failure hurts
Kia just told me about 3 photographer acquaintances from different parts of the country who are having major financial problems. A couple of them may have to close their businesses. When she told me, I went through a range of emotions – shock, concern, worry, and relief (that it wasn’t me) just to name a few.
Failure, no matter how big the stakes are in the project, hurts.
One of the photographers along with his business, may lose his house too. He has a family. I can’t imagine the feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and fear that he is dealing with. I’m sure he’s wondering, “What’s next?” “What skills do I have to make money if I can’t do what I know best?”
When we encounter failure at any level, here is the question that we must face at some point. It may come after a time of mourning, healing, reflection, but it has to come. It’s the question that must be asked by all 3 of those photographers dealing with problems in their businesses. It’s the question that I have to ask when I fail at anything.
Will I bounce back?
Bounce back
Jason Freedman in his blog HumbledMBA.com says ‘bounce back’ is the number 1 most important characteristic of being an entrepreneur. It may be bigger than that. It could be the #1 most important thing to be a successful person. The faith that though I failed, or the project I invested so much of my life into failed:
I am not a failure. I will bounce back.
Bounce back is huge part of your story. It’s the part of the story that propels you to growth and change. It’s what allows you to help others down the road. Bounce back defines what you want and how badly you want it.
I’ve never been through the valley of losing it all (though I’ve come close enough); I have been through some low valleys – personally and professionally. No matter how low you are, how far the bottom is from the top you fell from, YOU are not a failure. You can bounce back. There is hope.
It starts with you. You have to believe there is hope. You just have to decide that you will bounce back.
Have you enjoyed a bounce back from a low point in life? Share a little here to encourage us all.
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