“Failure, when it comes to future risk-taking, is a gift. Successful risk-takers are often motivated by failure — it’s what tells them that they aren’t done preparing yet. It’s inspiration to work harder, to train better, and to learn more.”

I love the optimism and clarity this idea has. When something isn’t going right, when I am effectively failing at something, I want to deny it, get angry at it, possibly quit it, feel embarrassed, etc. What was I thinking? How silly? I might tell myself. Who do I think I am? But when I know I’m on the right track, when I know it’s something important, or meaningful, then ideas embodied in this quote remind me to listen well and respond well. Take it as a gift means I’m receiving feedback that is valuable. Feedback is an opportunity to learn, and learning is a gift.

What are you struggling with, frustrated by, or failing at? How can you see it as a gift, an opportunity for feedback? How can you take the information and reframe and make it better?