The failure to try is one of the most common types of failure, and, in my opinion, one of the worst failures. It is usually the result of a fear of failure or just plain laziness.
In December of 1999, I sold my last technology company. Without going into great detail, selling the company at that time was a huge success for our investors and everyone involved. However, as I drove home from our attorneys' office the night we finalized the sale, I couldn't celebrate. I began to be overcome with the fear of failure…I didn't know what I should do next and if it would be as successful. It was so bad that it effectively kept me from trying anything new for the next several months.
I talk to so many pastors who are either living on yesterday's success or holding the pain of last week's failure. What is unfortunate is that this fear of failure actually guarantees failure…the failure to try. Over the long-term, it will almost certainly lead to a declining or dead ministry.
On our team, we ask people who are interviewing for a failure resume. If someone cannot list several failures in their life, it is sometimes a sign that they fail to take risks or try anything new.
What are some things on your failure resume? What tips do you have for overcoming the fear of failure?
1 comment:
Truth to remember.
It's been said the only true failure is failing to try; all else is merely an opportunity for learning.
If we learn, we can grow, if we grow, we have another opportunity.
Could it be that lifes' real failure would be to not realize success (our dream and destiny) because we gave up on step to soon?
Carpe diem ~ Steady plodding brings prosperty.
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