"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill.
I HATE failing at something, so much that in the past, and some cases now, I have to think twice before I try things. I have grown as a person and, in most cases, try things even if there is a possibility I will fail. Looking back, I have learned a lot from my failures. Those failures have made me the person I am today.
Today, I am addressing some professional failures. I am 62 and have had many jobs. I have been a Yard Duty person, a Preschool Teacher, an Office Assistant for a Chiropractor, a Receptionist for an insurance company, a Church Secretary, a Social Service Director in a psychiatric hospital, CEO of a family business, and the CEO of a business I started.
I was successful in most of those jobs. Like everyone else, I made mistakes, and I learned from them. The last two jobs were my most significant professional failures. They are also my most tremendous successes.
I moved to Fresno after my mother died to run the family business. After reading my job experience above, you may notice that I have no business management training. I walked into a situation intimidated, unprepared, and inexperienced. The business had struggled since my grandpa died over 20 years before I took the reins of the store. After running the company for six years, my brother and I decided to close it because it lost massive amounts of money. I was devastated; I felt like I had let my grandpa down and destroyed his legacy.
How I handled the closing of the store was a success for me. I was very concerned about my employees; I felt responsible for them and their families. Some of the positive things I did for them were:
· Arrange for three months' severance pay.
· I called Work Force Connection, and they met with the employees and provided information on how to fill out unemployment papers, apply for Medi-Cal, and explained the job training services they offered at no cost.
· I provided each employee with a gift card to a grocery store.
I believe I did all I could to help them move on.
I started a business writing grants. I found out that I did not like writing grants. I should have stopped a year before because I started to resent deadlines and had difficulty getting the necessary information. I learned from that experience.
· I enjoy writing.
· While working on grants, I met many amazing people and remain in contact with some of them today.
· I started journaling again and am addressing issues that I need to work on.
· Finally, I have figured out what I want to do. I would like to be a freelance content writer.
Turning a failure into a success requires a positive mindset, resilience, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Here are 10 ways to do just that:
· Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Understand that failure is a natural part of the journey to success. It provides valuable insights and experiences that can help you grow.
· Analyze the failure: Take the time to assess what went wrong. Identify the specific reasons for the failure, whether they were within your control or external factors.
· Take responsibility: Own up to your mistakes and accept responsibility for them. This shows maturity and a commitment to improving.
· Set clear goals: Define clear and realistic goals that you want to achieve. Having a clear direction will help you focus your efforts.
· Develop a plan: Create a well-thought-out plan for achieving your goals. Consider what you learned from your failure and how to apply those lessons to your new plan.
· Seek feedback: Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or experts in your field for input and advice. They can provide valuable perspectives and guidance.
· Stay persistent: Don't let failure deter you. Stay committed to your goals and be willing to put in the effort required to succeed.
· Adapt and iterate: Be flexible and open to making adjustments as needed. Your initial plan may need to evolve as you encounter challenges.
· Build a support system: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues who can offer encouragement and help you stay motivated.
· Celebrate small wins: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, even small ones. It can boost your confidence and keep you motivated.
Remember that success is often the result of overcoming failures and setbacks. Each failure can bring you one step closer to achieving your goals if you approach it with the right mindset and a willingness to learn and adapt.
I encourage you to accept your failures and look for the positives. I also encourage you to keep trying new things!!
Have a great week.

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