Finding Success Through Failure

Success is a funny thing. Many of us including myself find a certain level of success and contentment through the way things are. We have achieved a certain job, finished a marathon, climbed a mountain. Through all this have we ever taken the time out to look at what we have failed to do or what we have failed at doing along the way? I believe only after taking this time out can we find what our true success and purpose is.

I got the job, finished the marathon, climbed the mountain however still feel there is a piece of me that has not reached the success I strive for. I have not reached the top of the highest mountain in the NW. I have not finished a marathon over 50K. I have not started my own business again out of fear of failure.

As a result of a clear mind, reflection and passion seeking I have popped out of the fear sucking bubble my head was stuck in for years. I am not afraid to say that I got complacent. I started drinking too much. Partying too much! Doing too many things that were dragging my life down. I was failing at the test of life and did not really know what to do about it. Until one day I had an epiphany that changed the course of my life.

I realized that everything was beginning to fail at a faster rate than ever before in my life. Relationships were breaking, my finances were upside down, work was beginning to suck. And, this was all the result of my perception that things were ok.

After deep reflection I realized that my part in all of this was quite simple. I became a complacent addict who was so self absorbed in the way my life was that I failed to connect with the reality of everything. Through this reflection I found many lessons to be learned about becoming humble, letting go, finding a higher meaning and purpose in life, running marathons, and living simply.

Reflection is now something I do at the beginning and end of each day. During this simple reflection I ask myself some questions to help keep my life on track.

1) Are my tasks today going to bring me closer to achieving my short term and long term goals?
2) What did I spend time doing today that did not really matter?
3) Did I do something new that I need to repeat in my life?
4) What are my current roadblocks?
5) What did I learn?

While I am still in the process failing, reflecting and succeeding I no longer feel stuck. I feel as though each day I am moving forward. Testing and retesting different things in my life is allowing me to be the change I want to be.

You can do the same thing with a little bit of effort. Set some goals, create some milestones in achieving those goals and enjoy the process.

Fail your way to success.


Summit as friends!


Scott