Failure is KEY to success

Most people HATE failure and I'm no exception. We all hate losing a match, missing a shot, not getting a promotion at work... the list goes on (and on!) If you can succeed at it, odds are that you can also fail at it.

So what is the point of me stating the obvious (once again) in another blog? Well I'm going to let you know why you will and why you SHOULD fail, not only in the gym or a sporting setting but in real life as well. Nothing is ever plain sailing, it doesn't always go our way - I'm a firm believer that 'if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you'.

Now, I'm not encouraging you to go out and try something stupid like a new PB on a lift without the appropriate training, or to demand a raise from your boss first thing in the morning. That’s not the take away point. The point is to highlight how important failing once in a while is to personal growth and development.

'Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently' - Henry Ford.

I couldn't agree more! I'd argue that the biggest successes in my life, be it educationally, work wise or in a performance based environment, have all initially stemmed from failing.

Take my current lifting goals for example: before my birthday in July this year I want to achieve a lift total of 550kg, divided between a squat (200kg), deadlift (220kg) and bench press (130kg).

Now, how do I know I can't already lift that? I've tested my 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and failed at certain weights. Has this put me off? No, sir!

It has enabled me to hone in and assess what I need to do and what procedures I need to follow to make it happen. This rule can also be applied to weight-loss, weight gain and fat loss. Have a number you want to reach? Perfect, get a time stamp on it and you've got a goal.

Now what happens when you reach the goal? You feel fantastic and you set another.

What happens if you don't reach that goal?

You lose all motivation and give up?

Well you could... OR, you could analyse and evaluate WHY you didn't reach that goal and adjust your approach for a more positive outcome.

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan

No successful person in life has had it all their own way. If you Google any big name athlete, any of the members of the world’s rich list or anyone with any kind of success story, one thing they will all have in common is that they have failed and come back stronger...

Just remember, you might not have succeeded this time but what you have done is learnt a valuable lesson for the future, especially in such uncertain circumstances.

The world we know has changed and will continue to change, therefore not everything will go your way over the next few weeks, maybe even months. As long as you continue to work hard and put the effort in, you WILL be rewarded at the end of it.

Always have a plan, always have a goal but, most importantly, ALWAYS be adaptable.

Any questions, please fire away! Ryan