There are few concepts that humanity can agree on.  One of these is the concept of failure.  No one wants to grow up to be one, and there are no pay raises or trophies for being the best failure.   We tend to not openly embrace the concept, as we never truly set out on a journey where the end result is failure.  We think failure hurts, pain is bad and it will set us back.  Success, on the other hand is what is sought after in society at all costs. Success is liberating, happy and full of prosperity.  In fact I think it may be possible that we want success so badly that sometimes we become paralyzed.  Paralyzed by the fear of failure.  What if there were more than two sides to this coin?  What if it wasn't an either/or but a both/and?  Here are some of the 7 pieces of wisdom I lean on when I can't lean in.  Maybe they can help you too.

1.       Time heals wounds - What hurt badly 15 years ago doesn't phase me now.  Having this knowledge helps me to know that although I have tried and I have failed in the past, I have been able to overcome the failure.  Although the current circumstance may be a new knockout punch, what isn't new is getting back up after a fall.  It requires the same motion, breathe and then stand up and walk one foot in front of the other.  Thatta girl.

2.       Fail fast - My husband works in the tech industry and this has long been one of the mantras he lives by .  Fail fast, live out loud, try something . . Throw it out there it might not be perfect, in fact you will learn MORE if it isn't.  Envision what that goal is and start taking steps towards that.  The key is you can't keep it all in your head you have to get it out there.  My dear friend Stacy of inspiredbystacy.com has an uncanny ability to get something out there.  While I curl up in a ball and have "bloggers block" she is out there doing it.  Seeing as this is my THIRD post you can tell I am still learning this one. You inspire me Stac to put it out there. 

3.       What's the worst that can happen? -  Sometimes naming those fears can take their power away.  Being afraid of actually getting the job is no excuse for not applying for it.  Name those fears.  Are you worried that you will actually look at your finances and discover that you don't budget very well?  Guess what, whether or not that is true, you can't take the steps to change it without first acknowledging where you are currently.  I am still working on maintaining my finances so this is as much a reminder for me as advice for anyone else.  When naming your fears it can help to write them down, brainstorm all of those things that cause you panic.  Let them out, write them down and then throw them in the fire.  Those fears do not have to own you and they most certainly do not define you.

4.       The journey of a thousand miles . . . . - That’s right it begins with one step.  Do one small thing.  Whether that is trying to lose that extra weight or create a business plan start with one small thing.  Drink a glass of water, apply for a business license, the key is to actually DO something.  Often times we are so overwhelmed that we become paralyzed and do nothing.  Six months later we look back and realize that we didn't do anything.  No wonder nothing changed.  Sure you didn't fail but what did you do?  There are tons of free organization tools out there on the interwebs pick one and use it as a tool to help you put one foot in front of the other.

5.       Press the reset button - Guess what? Even when you are failing fast, putting yourself out there and going one step at a time, it may not take you where you want to go.  The beauty here is that you can press the reset button.  In life we have the power to change something up when we want to.  New Year's resolutions not working for you so well in June?  Hey you don't have to wait until January 1st to start over you can start today.  Press the button.

6.       Redefine what failure means -  So you did something and then it didn’t work out?  Congratulations to you. . You are on your way to making something better.  Look at what you have learned along the way and apply it.  Did that marketing tactic you tried last month not give you the results you wanted, then its time to learn from it.  Did you bust out a new recipe and it wasn't all you envisioned?. .  .Here is where you tweak it and try  again.  Check and see where your glass is, half empty or half full?

7.       Share - One of the best ways to grow and learn is to share what you know.  In talking with others we often come away with new perspectives that can help us with a problem we are facing.  Listen to the tribe of friends around you, they know you best and can often speak the truth without the risk of losing your friendship.  Similarly, ask them and listen to their response for how they have handled the giant problems in their own space.  Many times taking the power away from the fear of failure lies in the stories of those closest to us. At the end of the day we are in this together and we are better together. 

Still paralyzed by the next step?  That's okay that means you really care about what you want to do.  The next step however is to inhale deeply, exhale slowly and begin.  As you go along your journey know that both success and failure will happen.  It isn't so much as the flip of a coin but more of a marble turning this way and that and finding a path that makes the most sense. Know that we will experience both success and failure and that neither of them are the complete definition of who we are.  Some of the greatest lessons we learn are born from failure.  So let's get out there and shake it up, break a few things and gain some more wisdom.  The time is now.