subject: Causes and Lessons to learn from Failures [print this page] Causes and Lessons to learn from Failures
Failure is best understood as a state that we experience when we do not get what we want or aspire for. This sometimes directly affects the success rate, meaning that the degree of success is low when one fails.
Causes of failure
Lack of a goal: The absence of a goal, more often than not, is equivalent to absence of success. A goal is a prerequisite to achieve success. Working, studying or living aimlessly gives no opportunity to succeed. Hence, having a central purpose is essential.
Poor preparation: Ill-preparedness to face a challenge or solve a problem at hand leads to failures. Deficiency in one's efforts only means that the focus on the goal has wavered. You need to ask yourself if the goal set for you is motivating enough or important enough to put in your best efforts. If not, then the goals must be revised.
Fear of failure: Fearing failure only sets you back and prevents you from putting in your best efforts. Failure is not something to be feared but to overcome. You must be open to utilize opportunities and take risks.
Low self-esteem: Low self confidence dampens your spirits and maims you. It makes you feel like a failure even before you start your journey towards solving the problem or attempting to succeed.
Distractions and/or lack of focus: Deviating your energies and focus from the task at hand could set you up for failure. Self-discipline is the key to succeed. You must try and learn to control your wandering mind and train it to focus.
Unclear goals: Vagueness about your goals causes confusion, loss of interest, and random ineffective effort. Clarity of thought is required to know the path to proceed.
Failure to take ownership: Failure to take on responsibility may seem the easy way out, however, it brings along serious consequences. Taking ownership is directly related to your opportunity to succeed. You need to make wise decisions and assume responsibility for the decisions made.
Reaction to failure
The initial reaction of any person after a failure is one of shock and dejection. As the initial shock settles down, one may feel unworthy, have a low morale and lose interest in most things and at the worst scenario, even resign oneself to one's fate'.
Lessons from failures
Failure analysis: Analyzing failure helps you understand the causes of failure. Make a detailed list of your fears, unanticipated issues, and in exactly what way the causes prevented your success.
Better skills: Having failed, you now know of one method which does not work. This brings you one step closer to success and increases the probability of you succeeding the next time. Over time, you will become proficient in improving something that you already did well.
Enhances problem solving techniques: Failure makes you think twice the next time. You are better equipped to deal with more problems that life offers you. This is by far the best lesson that failure teaches you.
Motivation and positive thinking: Failures can motivate you to do better again and again. They create a hunger for success and raise your spirits to face new challenges. Failure forces you to think positive, and creates a need' to think positively.
