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The "F" Word


 

My daughter Emma has begun her journey of learning how to walk 😬. I’m sure most parents can agree that this is a time mixed with many frightening 😅, but mostly exciting emotions. These moments are particularly entertaining for my family because my daughter inherited my (very) bowed legs (sorry Emma 😂). Consequently, this leads to frequent tumbles for sweet Emma. With each tumble I tense up in fear of a tumble that will discourage her from getting up and giving it another go. Guess what? It’s never happened and it won’t happen. Its simple not learning how to walk isn’t an option for Emma. So, she has no choice but to hop back up from her failed attempt and try again. She doesn’t seem to mind it, it kinda seems like she enjoys the challenge, each time she furrows those eyebrows and wobbles back up, determined and ready to do it all again. Her courage is admirable.


Somewhere along the road to adulthood our appreciation for failure changes to the constant desire to avoid it. As I marvel at Emma’s resolve I’m realizing this acquired fear of failure is counterproductive and downright silly! Of course, no one WANTS to “fail” but the the truth is it’s inevitable! So you fail, what happens next?- Does your world cease to exist? No. Does this mean your dreams and goals weren’t worth pursuing? No!! Does this give you a chance to get back up and try again? YES! It’s not your fault, and it’s not just you- society magnifies failure so we often use it as an anchor instead of a springboard

into our wildest dreams. Robert F. Kennedy said it best “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”


As babies we fall countlessly on the journey of taking our first steps, and we continue to

do so as we face new challenges and grow into adults. It’s normal and it’s natural. Everyday I talk to people filled with some of the BEST ideas too paralyzed by the "F" word to take the first steps! I challenge you as I've challenged them- reject the fear of failure, and don’t make giving up an option. Furrow those eyebrows, and accept the challenge of making your wildest dreams come true. Because after all:

“What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?” -John Green

-Riss

Click it! CEO


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