The Freedom in Failure

I’m often afflicted by the condition commonly referred to as, “paralysis
by analysis”.  My “overwhelmed” switch gets stuck in
the “on” position and causes my whole system shuts down.  It’s
like my brain just freezes up and I can’t seem to get anything
done.  I usually end up procrastinating or spending time doing
meaningless stuff. 

I am finding a cure for this disease though, in the most
unlikely place – FAILURE.   More precisely, learning to
expect failure and even appreciate it. 

 

If you ask any very successful person, they will tell you they
have failed; failed big, and failed often.  It’s how they
move through it, learn from it, and aren’t defined by it that
makes the difference.  

Lately, I’ve been giving myself permission to fail.  I’ve been
intentional about risking more than I would normally risk.  I’m
pushing myself past the wall of fear of what might happen, and
trusting God to come through in His way and His timing.  Even if I
don’t think I’m capable of doing it right or well or perfectly, I’m
realizing it’s better to do it anyway. 

CONCEPTS FOR FAILING WELL:
Spend your effort on taking worthwhile risks.  Be
intentional about what you risk.  For example, going for your
dream is a worthwhile risk.  Chances are high you will fail more
than once – yet the chances are even higher you will come close to
that big dream God is laying on your heart. 
Spend your effort learning rather than blaming.  What if
all the time, effort, and energy we spent on avoiding or justifying failure was
spent instead on learning from our mistakes? 
Give yourself permission.  So many of us are
perfectionists – so much so in fact – we become paralyzed with
inaction.  Give yourself permission to not do it perfectly.   
Start with what is at your feet and take baby steps. 
You’ll need to spend some effort assessing what you have available
to you and work with that.  Don’t wait to act until the ideal
conditions are available.  Just “get the bicycle rolling” and then
you can adjust as you go. 
Pray, pray, and then obey.  I just finished reading a
biography of Joan of Arc.  Her greatest strength was her
unrelenting passion to obey immediately.  The entire French army
was paralyzed by the analysis of their dire situation.  She heard
from God, checked it for affirmation, and then OBEYED.  Her
decisive action made the difference between wining and losing. 

What’s in your heart to do?  What’s the worst that could happen? 
I bet it’s worth the risk.