Success versus Failure
Success is what you are prepared to make of yourself every
single day. That one cold morning when you want to roll over but
instead get up and go to workout, is a defining moment. Success
boosts self-confidence and is self perpetuating. We all know it,
thrive on it and love it. Failure on the other hand is perceived
as a stressful, negative experience. It means challenge,
difficulties, not knowing or worst of all defeat. It affects our
self-esteem negatively, builds upon itself and could become a
pattern. It could mean a threat to our survival. So we have an
aversion to it. We dislike failure. Well, did you know that
failure like stress is actually good for you? Out of the trial
and error, the grueling and rigorous demands of trying and
failing we humans learned what worked to survive. Failure is
something we as humans need to encounter for new growth and
creative changes - uprisings. Failure causes us to reassess,
reevaluate, and start again. Out of necessity we learn to take
risks, and think “outside the box”. Failure is the fertile soil
from which seeds burst and blossom. Failure challenges our will
to survive. Did you know that no stress is absolutely the worst
of all stressors. Stress is like body temperature: if it’s too
low or too high, you can’t survive, but the right balance can
keep you going strong. It makes sense to use stress energy
positively, to meet life’s challenges. Stress is not all bad.
Yes, you may fail. This is life. Life’s winners accept that in
trying they may have to adjust and even start again and again.
The difference between successful people and others is not
whether you make mistakes or even temporarily fail, but how you
respond. So how does this apply to your workouts? Expect more of
yourself. Set higher standards! This sets you up for failure. Of
course you can’t reach that next higher level immediately.
You’ll keep trying and failing until you do. In the meantime
when you don’t meet them, ask yourself did I try my best? Did I
give it my all? If your answer is yes then, yes you failed and
you yes you failed successfully! Now you’ll be a step closer to
that new fitness level. You’ll get healthier and fitter and at
the same time toughen yourself psychologically and emotionally
to handle the dreaded Failure.
Deborah Caruana RN, MES, CPT. CALL 212-677-3185 EMAIL
deb@vitalsignsfitness.com WEB www.vitalsignsfitness.com
