Celebrating Failure

At the beginning of this class, I was skeptical about the whole “grading yourself” policy. I tend to like an assignment to have one specific deadline, rather than many assignments due at the end of the week. I knew this concept would be hard for me to get used to as I am known to procrastinate. I knew that I would be unable to receive an A in this class if I procrastinated, because there was no way I could accurately complete every assignment the day it was due. As the semester continued, I began to adapt to the policy and work on my time management skills. Around the 4^th week I missed 2 points because I forgot to comment on others’ assignments. I got really discouraged because it was already so early in the semester and I  had already missed 2 points that could have easily been completed if I had stayed on top of my work.

Just from missing these two points alone, I learned the value of staying on top of assignments and making sure my priorities were in order. If I had simply checked my assignment list on Monday, the whole thing could have been avoided. Instead, I slipped into my procrastination ways again and did not check the assignment list until Tuesday. I can guarantee I always check the assignment list on Monday’s now and missing an assignment on accident has never happened again. Fortunately, I have already made it up with the extra credit I have received.

I believe that failure is a big part of life. It is something you cannot be afraid of if you want to succeed. Trying new things is always scary simply because we are afraid of failing. Entrepreneurs specifically need to learn to love failure; it can push one to be better and aspire to achieve their goal even more. Emotionally, you cannot let failure beat you, you have to use it to your advantage. One you fail, you have to start up that much stronger and desire that achievement even more. This class has definitely pushed me out of  my comfort zone and made me realize that failure is not all that scary. Every assignment whether it be an elevator pitch or talking about what sets me apart from others, is not something I particularly like to do; it makes me a bit uncomfortable. But in the end, I have learned the value in failure and that you cannot be afraid of it; you have to conquer it and come back that much stronger.