Sorry to Bust You Bubble, but Failure IS an Option

We often hear sports team, companies, and even non-profit organizations, tout that failure is not an option.  The statement 'failure is not an option' is no doubt meant to be a driver and motivator; it's supposed to focus people on success. But, in reality failure does happen. Failure -- like success -- is indeed valuable.  

Accept that people won't always accept you
You may not be the first one picked for the team; in fact you may not be picked at all.  Will you still be able to pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again, with self esteem intact?

Know that you don't know it all
When you realize this is true, leverage the power of partnership.  Surround yourself with those who know what you don't know. If your partner, mentor, or coach has the same strengths and attributes as you, one of you is unnecessary.  

You will make mistakes
Listen to what pro athletes say when they are interviewed after loosing a game.  It's a lot more insightful and telling than what they say when they win.  When they loose they are specific about what opportunities they missed, what options they should have exercised, and how they could have improved.  There are valuable lessons in the losses.  

When you are forbidden to fail you might not even try
When people are told that mistakes won't be tolerated, they may not do their best.  Tom Edison reportedly failed 2000 times before inventing the light bulb; each time he got closer to the formula that worked.  Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star; he then started his own company where he created Mickey Mouse. Oprah was told by her employer, a Baltimore TV producer, that she was unfit for television; she was put on a little-known program which gave her a chance to hone her craft.  They didn't see failure as final.  When we learn that failure is okay, we're not crushed by it or immobilized by it. Sure, it can be scary, but learn from it and keep moving forward.  

I'm not suggesting that you should strive to fail.  However, when/if you do, embrace it.
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