We tend to avoid starting something new because we are afraid of failing at it. Feeling afraid, nervous, and hesitant are completely natural feelings to have. Most people feel fear and anxiety at the start of something new.
Remember, failure isn’t fatal. It shouldn’t be seen as the end-all be-all. Failure is just another step on the road to success. Some of our greatest lessons are learned through failure, and it aids in our growth and development.
I’ve been watching a show called Forged in Fire on the History channel a lot recently. The show asks its contestants to make knives and swords from raw pieces of steel, and then the judges test the pieces strength and durability in extreme tests. These tests are aggressive and brutal. The judges hack into ice blocks, beef bones, fish, wood, pieces of armor, and more. By the end of the tests, one contestant whose blade didn’t make the cut is sent home. Each contestant who leaves will usually say a couple words at the end, and for the most part, they make a comment about how even though they didn’t make it through the competition, they are walking away more knowledgeable, are grateful for the experience, and that they will continue to make blades despite what happened in the challenge.
What I’ve taken away from watching this show is that what we go through is meant to test our own strength and durability, and that we gain knowledge, experience, and resilience, from our failures.
Do not shy away from starting something new because you are afraid of failing. Do it despite your fear. If you fail, do not let it discourage you from trying again, and be thankful for the experience. Focus on what you need to do next to keep moving forward and take what you have learned into the next experience.
With love and support, Molly
