Hey there, beautiful souls, and welcome back to season 2 of The Listening Ears podcast, your go-to podcast for self-awareness and your journey of self-discovery. I am your host, Vernae Bezear. Today we're diving into a topic we've all struggled with at some point in our lives Failure. But here's a twist we're flipping the script on failure, seeing it not as a setback but as a springboard for growth. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in and let's chat about the art of failing forward. To discuss failing forward, we must first understand what failure is. It's funny how we're conditioned our entire lives to fear it, but it's just a natural part of life. It doesn't mean you're not good enough or unworthy or unfitting. I mean, if we look at nature, even the strongest, tallest trees have fallen leaves right, it's all about perspective. Failure is a natural part of life, not a mark against your self-worth. It's a teacher, a guide, a friend in disguise. So how do we shift from fearing failure to embracing it? Well, it's about mindset. A growth-mindset is the idea that we can grow, change, and develop through effort and experiences. That means seeing failure not as a dead end but as an opportunity, a stepping stone to something better. It is this beautiful universe, giving you a little poke or nudge or pointing you in a different direction. Imagine a world where we could all see our mistakes as chances to learn and grow. Absolutely beautiful, would that be? So? If you want to start failing forward, here are some easy steps. Step one identify the misstep. Ask yourself what went off track. No judgments or blame, just sheer curiosity and an abundance of patience with yourself. Step two reflect on the lessons. Think about what this misstep taught you and find the learning opportunities. Instead of focusing on the negative emotions, ask what can I learn from this? What will I do differently next time? Step three, the last step Move forward with wisdom. Create a plan and move forward with the newfound information, opportunities, and wisdom. Take that knowledge, apply it, and watch just watch how your path begins to shift.

Embracing failure isn't about ignoring the pain or frustration that often comes with setbacks. It's about transforming those emotions into insights and actions, a proactive approach that turns failures into stepping stones. When you face a setback, instead of asking why me? Try asking what is this teaching me? Stay focused on your growth path and know that every single experience is shaping the incredible person you are becoming. Okay, I want you to think of a time when you stumbled and learned something valuable from it. I challenge you to embrace that lesson and take one small step toward a dream you've been putting off, whether it's signing up for a class, reaching out to a mentor for advice or even just jotting down your goals. I challenge you to take that step today and, if you feel inspired, send us a quick shout or note sharing what you've done. Let's grow together as a community. Let's grow together by failing forward. Thank you, as always, for joining me on this journey today. Let's turn those setbacks into comebacks and grow together Until next time. Embrace your failures and continue to stay inspired.