4 Ways That Trying Often Leads To Failing

The study found that persistence didn't separate the winners from the losers in the quest for success. The same number of people tried to reach their goals and ultimately failed. Wang and his colleagues identified previously unknown statistical signatures of success and failure. As a result, it is important to understand that failure isn't necessarily bad and can serve as a source of motivation. Read on to learn more about the value of failure.

Failure is a redirection
Failure is a natural part of life, but it often redirects you to a better alternative. Rather than punishing yourself, try to see failure as a learning experience and redirect your efforts to an easier path. Just like navigating a maze, you must take many wrong turns before you find your way out, so do not let the thought of failing discourage you. The bad news is that it will eventually lead to something better.

Failure is an opportunity
We all have a Road Less Traveled, and it's filled with obstacles, starts, and failure. Many famous entrepreneurs and inventors have credited failure as their biggest inspiration. From early social media platforms to the iterations of the smartphone, many people have learned from their failures. But there are also benefits to failure that go beyond personal growth. Here are four ways that failure can help us become better people:

Failure is a source of motivation
While many people associate failure with lack of motivation, it can actually be a source of motivation. By constantly trying new things and pushing boundaries, highly motivated people often experience more failure. Despite their fear of failure, these people usually succeed as a result of these setbacks. In fact, many of the world's most celebrated people have all suffered from some form of failure before they were ever truly successful. While failing can leave us with a sense of embarrassment or upset, it can actually serve as a source of motivation to keep going.

Failure is a source of demoralization
In the workplace, failure can take many forms: the budget cycle can lead to the elimination of a prized initiative. A long-term client can cancel the contract, or the star employee might not be able to perform up to expectations. HR discussions may end with the employee being fired. Failure is demoralizing, and can even have a fatal effect on an individual's confidence.

Failure distorts perceptions of your abilities
When you fail at a task, you tend to judge your capabilities and skills negatively. This makes your goals seem more difficult, or even impossible, and it can lead to feelings of inferiority and inadequacy. It also causes you to subconsciously sabotage yourself, as you may begin to feel you are not good enough to succeed. Fortunately, there are ways to reverse this distorted perception of your abilities.

Failure makes the same goal seem less attainable
According to a study by UC Berkeley professor Martin Covington, fear of failure and self-worth are closely linked. Students who feel they are not good enough often go through mind-boggling psychological machinations to avoid failure. But this fear of failure has long-term consequences. It distorts the way that people view their abilities and goals. Even if you achieve your goal despite failure, you still may feel that you are not good enough.