Why You Should Celebrate (Not Fear) Failure

Most people and organizations shy away from their mistakes. Even the simplest mistakes are perceived as utter failures and are to be shunned as shameful and something that should be buried and forgotten, if possible. This is understandable, since they’re not exactly something pleasant. But mistakes, in large measure, lead to growth. No one does everything perfectly on the first attempt. We sometimes even make serious mistakes that harm others and require a lot of time and effort to rectify. That’s life, and there’s no reason to pretend otherwise.

Following Others’ Examples

It’s a painful process, but owning up to our mistakes and trying to do better the next time is a good way to grow and be responsible. The best – and least painful way – to accomplish these same goals is to learn from others’ examples. You’re spared the pain and you get to reap the benefits of experience when you incorporate into your life lessons others have learned from sad experiences.

The 7 Non-Negotiables

Why am I talking about this? Because Fishbowl CEO David K. Williams wrote a book, which will be published on July 29, 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in which he shines a spotlight on his darkest moments and explains how they led to his brightest days. He boiled down everything he learned into characteristics known as the 7 Non-Negotiables. The book is entitled The 7 Non-Negotiables of Winning: Tying Soft Traits to Hard Results. It focuses on seven significant events in Williams’ life that made him the leader he is. He uses the term “Fail Up” in the book to describe the phenomenon of learning from mistakes. And he offers his wisdom to readers so they can be wise and make something great of their lives.

Pushing Through to Success

Having worked at Fishbowl for more than three years, I can say from experience that it has a wonderful corporate culture that other companies should definitely look at and try to exemplify. Failure isn’t encouraged, but it is acknowledged as a natural part of the learning process. Everyone does it, so there’s no need to hang our heads in shame when a mistake happens. If you push through the pain of failure, you’ll eventually find yourself on the side of success. It takes perseverance. By remembering our mistakes from time to time and learning from them, we become better people. Preorder your copy of The 7 Non-Negotiables of Winning right now on Amazon. You can also come get a signed copy from the author on Wednesday, July 31 at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 330 East 1300 South in Orem, Utah. Williams will be there from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.