"Do not fear mistakes--there are none." - Miles Davis

Let’s talk about failure, yay! Myself, I have faced many situations that could be treated as failures in my life: jobs I wanted and didn’t get, unsuccessful business endeavors, and two divorces! There have definitely been discouraging times and big obstacles, mistakes and accidents. Just the other week I fell in ballet class (thankfully this time, it didn’t hurt at all)!

Of course, I’ve had lots of successes, brilliant triumphs, and have experienced tons of love and support and abundance in my life, too, but that’s not what we’re talking about today. No, here I want to get into how to deal with making mistakes, facing failure, embarrassment, and discouragement, and finding the courage to keep on with our dancing, learning and growing, creative practice, professional dreams, and quest for a happy, fulfilled life!

What follows here can’t possibly be exhaustive, but comprises some of the best resources I know to help with frustration at our human mistakes and imperfections. I hope you have compassion for your failings and others', jump up, brush yourself off, and keep creating!

Some suggested structures for overcoming fear of failure and mistake-making include:

• Self-Compassion
• Meditation
• Writing & Reflective Practices
• Take a class
• Learn a language
• Make art
• Therapy
• Travel & Exploration

Looking for more from me on related topics? Listen to Podcasts 009: Resilience and 008: Persistence or the following blogs:

• Goal-Setting for Dancers
• Powerful Portfolios to Catalyze Action
• Healthy Habit-Building
• Meditation Practice Challenge
• Seeking Sweet Sleep
• Rest & Recovery Rocks My World

Blythe C. Stephens, MFA