Giving Yourself Permission To Fail
As an entrepreneur and female business owner - everywhere you look , there is someone telling you not to give up on your dreams. That “failure is not an option”. “Don’t worry and push past the fear”. Telling you that “it gets worse before it gets better” or “it comes with time”.
I am not telling you to give up on your dreams, what I am here to tell you is that it’s ok to fail. It’s not ok to quit.
Yes, I said it.
People fail at new jobs all the time. While it’s hard to hear and you may think that it’s a bad quality trait to have - but at the end of the day - failure is not always a bad thing. I am failing but my life goes on. It doesn’t mean that I am a negative person, it doesn’t mean I am condoning walking away when things get rough or tough. I am talking about when data drives decisions and the writing is on the wall and you just refuse to see it.
But I am ok with it.
I really am.
Let me tell you the reasons why.
“Failure is the opportunity To begin again,
only more intelligently””
First and foremost,I tried. That’s right! I gave it my best shot, I gave it 100% of all of me- everything I had in me went to build my business. I was fortunate enough to have a husband that encouraged me to make it my full time job and walk away from guaranteed income to follow a pipe dream in an industry where I am a dime a dozen. I have honed my craft - I am the best at what I do hands down. Sometimes, being the best isn’t enough.
Failure in a business does not equal failure in life. We have all lost in some form or fashion. It does not mean that we are a failure as a human,parent, spouse or child. Rarely does a business not experience growing pains that come with scaling. It provides a valuable learning tool that can be used later. I have learned valuable knowledge along the way that could never been taught in a classroom. The negative persona and pressure to “fake it till you make it” and “Don’t give up no matter what” isn’t helping us as women to be self assured and accept that things don’t always work out the way you want them to and it’s ok.
Most important - I will never live with regret. I will not lose sleep at night wondering “what if” or asking myself later “why didn’t I”. I do not have to worry about if my life is where it is supposed to be because I did or didn’t chose to open my own business. I sleep well at night and can look in the mirror at myself and know I have done my best.
I have been asked - at what point do you walk away. I can’t say what is best for everyone. However when your accountant says it’s time to walk away - listen.
If it is costing you your health - walk away.
If it is negatively impacting your family and relationship - walk away.
If it doesn’t call to you anymore - walk away.
Failure is a lesson and a step in a greater direction. I am going to cut my losses - and launch something even greater than before - so stay tuned!
~N
