FAILING FORWARD
Posted by mountaintopquilting on Thursday, March 10th, 2011
It doesn't seem to matter how much experience you have; it doesn't seem to matter how much you know; it doesn't seem to matter how confident you are. When it comes to learning, presenting, teaching and sharing your passion, meeting new people, and experimenting with new techniques ... basically being vunerable in front of your collegues and peers ... or even strangers for that matter ... all of us generally find ourelves in the same can of worms.
Sweaty hands, rapid heart beat, excited and yet anxious ... we can even been fearful. It can be a simple as finding your way through a new airport. That was me just last week in the Atlanta Airport. Now, I've found my way through Atlanta International before, in fact, several times, but never often enough to get the system and routines really solid in my head. I know there are basics that are the same in every airport - the big blue screens loaded with information, the signs overhead pointing to departure gates, security check-points, baggage claim. But Atlanta has some added "amenities" than can be confusing ... namely the fast moving trains to ??? I don't know ??? nowhere???
I have a fear of interpreting the signs incorrectly, misunderstanding the reader boards. You name it ... it's not hard for me to get myself turned around. Fortunately, this time I got a good walk in (excuses for not taking the train) and did eventually find my way to baggage claim and Barb was there waiting for me just as patient as could be. And now I know the train to concourse A and T also goes to baggage claim. :)
It doesn't seem to matter the circumstances, risk-taking involves ... well ... taking a risk. LOL But I encourage you to believe in inner voice that whispers in your ear, access your your inner powers, trust in your strength and in your knowledge of the past and apply it to the situation at hand. What do you already know that can help with the current unknown.
Do what you need to do to be prepared. Have a clear understanding of the knowledge and tools you need close at hand as you embark on any new adventure. Sprinkle in a measure of faith in yourself and your abilities, and trust in the people around you. And be willing to "fail forward." This is a new phrase for me. I just heard this concept put in these words while attending a video summit for Right Brained Business Planners. What an exciting informative thought-provoking and inspiring last 10 days of meeting with other creatives at 1:00 ET every day! But that's a story for another day.
Back to having the courage to "fail forward." You've understood the concept and practiced it since you were "knee-high-to-a grasshopper" when you first heard the idea ... we all learn from our mistakes. Somehow, it was easier to make those mistakes when we were children, and as we become adults there's a common misperception that we don't make mistakes any more. In fact many of us can be guilty of not trying anything "new" because we've forgotten how to make mistakes. We've forgotten how to go to school and learn.
And so my challenge to you is to have the courage to "fail forward." Take a risk, try something new. Be really brave and try something completely unrelated to anything you've ever done before.
Want to show REAL COURAGE ... share a little tale of your experiences of "failing foward" in the comment box below. Need some encouragement to TAKE A RISK allow yourself to be vulnerable? I have a blog give-away package to mail out to one lucky adventuresome soul. Post your story below in the comment box to be eligible to receive a copy of a back issue of Quilting Arts magazine. (issue 46 aug/sep 2010) The winner will be announced on Monday March 14th.
... be brave ...
... be bold ... make and share the music of your soul ...
You might also like:
digital collage supplies from Scrapbook Graphics
Comments
- No one has commented yet.
