Success, Despite Failure
by
Mistie Layne
Success, what defines it? How is it measured? Who decides it? Some common definitions of success include; accomplishing an aim or purpose, the attainment of popularity or profit, and a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity. Most of us equate success to “winning,” but ultimately only we can determine our own success. There isn’t an exact quantifiable measurement; it must resonate from within each of us. Commonly, we place the value of failure as opposite to success. If we aren’t successful or don’t win, we must have failed, correct?Those two don’t necessarily have to be
correlated in such an extreme dimension, as we CAN be successful, despite failure!
Growing up in the Texas Beauty Pageant system, I learned at an early age the power that came with winning. That power propelled me into a lifetime of competitiveness. I thrived on the approval, respect and popularity which automatically came with “winning.” Internally, I
strived for perfection and wanted to shine as the best at everything I sought after. I worked hard to make sure I stood out, overachieved, and was the center of attention to seal the deal of being the victor. However, with this came a price. I overextended myself and oftentimes became overwhelmed. I would put relentless pressure on myself to reach PERFECTION. The price I paid was the intensely brutal self –esteem blow when I didn’t win, achieve or perfect. I internally equated each instance which I didn’t win as a failure, which kicked off a downward spiral of low self-esteem, depression and insecurity.
Are there moments of regret or disappointment in your life which replay over and over and you wish