There's a often-quoted question that gets thrown around by coaches a lot: What would you do if you knew you couldn't
fail?
Because, according to conventional wisdom, a guarantee of success is supposed to give you the confidence to go after your dreams.
But that's not real life. Nothing is ever guaranteed, except, as they say, death and taxes.
It's also not TRUE. Because little if anything in life (that's meaningful) comes without at least SOME failure.
Confidence doesn't come from guarantees. And it doesn't come from your performance.
Well, maybe it DOES, but that's not how it's SUPPOSED to work.
Confidence that's based on performance is temporary at best. Inauthentic at worst.
Because you WILL fail.
But if your confidence is based in who you are
at your core, failure won't affect it. At least not for long.
So let's flip that question on its head.
What would you do if you HAD to fail a million times to get it?
What are you THAT passionate about?
What do you DREAM of doing?
What IMPACT do you want to make?
What's your PURPOSE in life that drives you SO MUCH that you won't be dissuaded by failure?
Now... do you have the confidence to WITHSTAND that failure and STILL know your
worth?
Or does your confidence need to grow to fit your dreams?
To withstand the failures and setbacks.
To stand up to
the bully in your brain - that Inner Mean Girl who tells you you're not good enough to have it?
Failure is inevitable.
In fact, failure is NECESSARY.
So don't resist it. Don't fear it.
Embrace it. Learn from it.
You dreams - and you - are worth it.
