The purpose of failure

 
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I was preparing for my first triathlon when a seasoned cyclist dropped some wisdom on me:

“You haven’t biked until you’ve hit the pavement.”

In that moment, I didn’t get it.

Then one day I became intimately acquainted with the asphalt.

The pain was both physical (bruises) and emotional (embarrassment).

Failure serves a greater purpose than momentary pain or shame.

It brings us face-to-face with these soul-searching questions:

  •       How bad do I want this? 

  •       Is it worth the cost?

Failure isn’t out to harm you. Its intent is to check-in with your motives.

If your answers to these questions aren’t:

  •       “Real bad.”

  •       “Yes.”

…that’s a good indication you should pursue something else.