Ever prepare for something you know is going to be hard? You do the work, study, research, practice until your are crosseyed. Round into the final stretch feeling strong... and then EPICALLY fail?
That was me yesterday. We won't get into the gory details, just know it was a 5 hour, very painful first run at passing the SC general contractor's license test and I bombed. Bad. I may have scored better had I left the test half way through kind of bombing.
I was sitting in the parking lot after lugging the dozen books back to my car, waiting. Waiting for anger, sadness, defeat, self-pity, babbling trance... but it never came. There were about 30 seconds of exhaused tears, but the weight of failure never found it's way in.
What WAS I feeling? It took me a minute to put it together, but I was proud. I was proud of myself for putting in the work and showing up as prepared as I knew to be. I was proud that I didn't leave halfway through when I realized the likely outcome. I was proud of the badassery it took to stay and treat the last question, in the last of 300 minutes with the same respect I did the first.
And here's the kicker... What I didn't see coming. I was EAGER to rest, regroup, and try again. To that, I raise my glass!
Failure isn't an option. It's a REQUIREMENT of true success.
While this is what I believe and share as I work with others. I have never felt it's truth quite like I did yesterday.
"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." ~Johnny Cash
--------- (Because who can quote Johnny during the Holidays without hearing this...)
This blog is a personal collection of my thoughts, wins, losses, memories, and crossroad moments. Almost all of which were hashed out around my kitchen counter and in my journals. If any of it resonates with you and you are ready to free-up the hidden badass you ARE right now, I can help. It’s time… Click the link and Let’s chat.
