If you’re going to be a success you’re going to have to learn how to embrace your failures so you can grow. I guarantee you that failures are going to happen no matter how many tremendous New Year resolutions you’ve made. Want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer? That’s means you’re going to have to take relentless pounding and unbelievable heat. Want to be the most precious gem in the box? You’re going to have to go through years of pressure and high temperatures.
A young man asked an old-timer how he got so successful. The old man replied, “Good judgment.” The young man then asked, “Well, how do you get that?” To which the old man replied, “Experience.” The young man pressed on. “Well, how do you get that?” The old man replied, “Poor judgment.”
No one likes to fail but if you aren’t learning how to capitalize on your challenges, tribulations, and mistakes, you’ll never become all that you were meant to be. Life is tough and people hurt. No matter how rich, famous, or successful you become, there are certain painful inevitabilities in life that we all go through. That’s a fact.
I’ve had some great things happen in my life, but what defines me is my scars. The real purpose of pain is to make us better, not bitter. My mistakes and heartbreaks make me stronger, wiser, and more empathetic. Everything in life that happens to us contributes to making us who we are, especially the bad things. Problems are invaluable because in working through them you become something greater and stronger.
Whenever someone would call my father and tell him about a problem, he would exclaim “I’m going to pray your problem gets worse!” He joked that he was the only person in America people would call and say, “Mr. Jones, please stop praying for me!” But his point is clear. We are put through the fire so we can emerge sharper, stronger, more resilient and brilliant. So why would he deny anyone that opportunity?
So instead of wishing everyone a Happy New Year, let’s start wishing them a Crappy New Year! After all, that’s really the only way we’ll finish 2013 more tremendous than when we started.
crappy new year!!!
If you’re going to be a success you’re going to have to learn how to embrace your failures so you can grow. I guarantee you that failures are going to happen no matter how many tremendous New Year resolutions you’ve made. Want to be the sharpest knife in the drawer? That’s means you’re going to have to take relentless pounding and unbelievable heat. Want to be the most precious gem in the box? You’re going to have to go through years of pressure and high temperatures.
A young man asked an old-timer how he got so successful. The old man replied, “Good judgment.” The young man then asked, “Well, how do you get that?” To which the old man replied, “Experience.” The young man pressed on. “Well, how do you get that?” The old man replied, “Poor judgment.”
No one likes to fail but if you aren’t learning how to capitalize on your challenges, tribulations, and mistakes, you’ll never become all that you were meant to be. Life is tough and people hurt. No matter how rich, famous, or successful you become, there are certain painful inevitabilities in life that we all go through. That’s a fact.
I’ve had some great things happen in my life, but what defines me is my scars. The real purpose of pain is to make us better, not bitter. My mistakes and heartbreaks make me stronger, wiser, and more empathetic. Everything in life that happens to us contributes to making us who we are, especially the bad things. Problems are invaluable because in working through them you become something greater and stronger.
Whenever someone would call my father and tell him about a problem, he would exclaim “I’m going to pray your problem gets worse!” He joked that he was the only person in America people would call and say, “Mr. Jones, please stop praying for me!” But his point is clear. We are put through the fire so we can emerge sharper, stronger, more resilient and brilliant. So why would he deny anyone that opportunity?
So instead of wishing everyone a Happy New Year, let’s start wishing them a Crappy New Year! After all, that’s really the only way we’ll finish 2013 more tremendous than when we started.
4 comments
Linda Ryan
What a TREMENDOUS post, Tracey! I so agree~ it’s those “Oh crap!” moments that often (if not always!) lead us to the better thing. For example, five years ago I did not get a medical management job that I thought was in the bag. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. However… If I HAD gotten it, I would not have become a Life Coach AND I probably wouldn’t know you! Not THAT would be devastating!
Crappy New Year to you too!!!
traceyjones
That’s the spirit Linda! I loved your story and can totally relate. I think I’ll write a book and title it, “Thank God I never got what I thought I wanted!” :-) You go girl!!!
Laura Stocker
So, so, true, Tracey – this really spoke to me today!
traceyjones
Thanks Laura:-) Crappy New Year!