Failure is More Necessary
I’ve been proudly interviewing people of different backgrounds and career goals for almost two years now. During this time, I’ve ask a lot of them the same question: What is a low you’re most grateful for? Everyone knows failure comes in your goals. Everything doesn’t work out. For a time, it’ll seem like nothing’s working out. Still, those who don’t give up are the ones who succeed. Such is the case for my guests. For them, failures can be inspiring who enlightening. It helps them learn something about themselves, or about the path they’re walking. It strengthens them, gives them resolve. In a sense, they wouldn’t be where they are today if not for that failure.
My episode 49 guest, Jahleel Hills, described his failure and what he learned from it. As a child, he was a part of his church’s band playing drum and snare. However, he did not get enough practice, “I was playing drums at an event, and it was not good.” He told me. The experience left him so disheartened that he didn’t want to play drums anymore, so he went to his then musical director, and told her that. “She said, ‘hey do you love playing drums?’” When he confirmed, she told him something he couldn’t forget. “She said, ‘Well don’t let this one little thing make you feel down. You love playing drums. Keep going.” If you love what you do, don’t allow failure to make you hate it. Also, never stop practicing your craft. (I love writing, so this blog is great practice.)
A moment when your pushed down, or your momentum is brought to a crashing halt can be devastating, but it’s imperative you find the will or means to move forward again. That was what my episode 6 guest Emma Steen did. While at Purchase College, she wanted to switch from theater to the music conservatory. So, she spent hours recording her demo, making every second the best she could, filled out her application, and waited patiently for results. Deadline passes, and she went to the head of conservatory and asks about her application, where she received the worst possible news. “Eventually she said, ‘I’m sorry. No one even looked at it because we had so many applications. You just applied too late.” Emma went back to her dorm room, and sat there, so in shock she “couldn’t even cry.” Still, she snapped out of it and, with stronger resolve, asked when the next deadline was. With another application at an earlier time, she made it in.
There are so many other ways to fail, but so many other ways to come back from it. I’ve just named a few. Even so, when you learn how to accept your failure and keep practicing what you love, or look for another way to reach your goal, you’re much more likely to succeed than someone who did neither. The ones who don’t get back up from failure are the ones who cannot move forward. Move forward always.