It’s how it goes.

Two steps forward, one step back.

The only important thing is really the step you take after that.

Which depends on how you’re seeing that last one. That step back.

That set back.

That misstep, mistake, missed chance.

Yeah, the failure step.

What’s the next step after failing?

You can learn a lot about a person by the way they handle their failures.

You can learn a lot about yourself by the way you handle your failures.

But mostly, and here’s the point I guess, you can learn a lot about how to get things right by being brave enough to look at how you got things wrong.

Some people say that it’s best not to dwell on your failures.

I agree. Kind of.

I mean, it’s definitely not a good idea to dwell too long and get stuck in the loop of “I’m-not-good-enough”, which is not only completely false, but can sometimes lead you down the path of not wanting to try again.

But maybe a little dwelling could be kind of helpful?

Because tucked inside the failure, in what-didn’t-work, is an incredibly important lesson. Something that you need to learn if you want to move one step closer to your dream.

It’s only by looking at our failures honestly that we can figure out where we went wrong, what didn’t work, and where we need to improve.

Failure is not a forever-stop. It’s just a lesson. A chance to see where we made a mistake.

If we look at it honestly and maybe dwell just long enough to really see, that is. Because we can only improve when we acknowledge our need for improvement, look boldly at where we went wrong, and learn the lessons we need to learn.

Improvement is impossible if you deny the need for it.

The truth is that stumbles and falls are not fatal. Failing is nothing more than a place to pause and learn how to be better, do better, improve.

Failure gives you the chance at a better next chance.

So yes, it’s two steps forward and one step back. But the thing is, you’re still one step ahead.

And that’s really how a life, how a dream, is built.

One step at a time.

~xo,
LuAnne