How Does Failures Prepare You for Greatness?

Do you think at this moment you have what it takes to be great? Do you have the strength and wisdom to achieve your dreams now?

Many of us, if we are humble enough, can say to ourselves we are not ready to realize our dreams yet. We don’t have the capacity to handle what we want in life.

We think that success will make us better, and it can. But there is also danger with success; it can bloat our ego or pride. And once our ego gets bloated we have a tendency to be unrealistic. We can over estimate ourselves, which can lead to disaster. Pride can delude us that we are the best when we are not. Pride is an obstacle to really becoming a great person.

Failures on the other hand can teach us humility. Failures can make us realize our weaknesses that we need to overcome. It also forces us to go beyond ourselves. Failures push us to find new ways and strategies in pursuing our goals. Failures taken well, can teach us much wisdom that cannot be found in books or at class.

Failures also toughen us. Imagine you want to fight a champion boxer. Do you think you can go on the ring with him now? You will be massacred I bet. Before you go to the big league you need to be beaten up, toughen up. Your body needs to be hit by strong punches so your muscle would adjust to the blows. Your body needs to be tough if you want to stay in the ring and win the fight. If you fight a champion boxer now, he will take you down in one punch. To be the champ you need to pay the price. No pain, no gain.

Many of us want to be successful, but we don’t think about the problems that come with it. If you have a multi-million dollar company, you are always at a risk of multi-millions. Can you handle that pressure?

I watch American movie stars, and how they cracked under the weight of success and fame. Many of them become addicted to drugs, sex or alcohol. Some even can’t handle their stardom and go nuts. Some even commit suicide.

So better think again. Can you handle the success you desire?

Our failures in life can help us prepare for the success that lies ahead. It can give us the wisdom, strength and detachment we need to make the big critical decisions when we are up there at the top.

So when failure comes, take is as a preparation for greatness.