1 / 11

Failing Forward

Failing Forward. By John C. Maxwell. Beginning. What is “failure?”. Failure is often defined as, “falling short of one’s goals.” Who defines those goals?. I s “failure” avoidable?. No, failure is unavoidable and is, in fact, essential for success. Is “failure” uncomfortable?.

brigid
Download Presentation

Failing Forward

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Failing Forward By John C. Maxwell Beginning

  2. What is “failure?” • Failure is often defined as, “falling short of one’s goals.” Who defines those goals? Is “failure” avoidable? • No, failure is unavoidable and is, in fact, essential for success. Is “failure” uncomfortable? • Yes! It is natural for our children to want to avoid failure because it is uncomfortable. • It is also natural for us as adults to want to “protect” our children.

  3. Is “failure” a good thing? • Yes! • Failure teaches us how to: • Problem Solve • Seek help and ask questions • Learn to push ourselves • Appreciate success • Make better choices • While life is easier without “failure,” we cannot grow as learners and people. Our children are the same way!

  4. Failing Backward vs. Failing Forward • Blaming others (friends, parents, teachers, etc.) • Repeating the same mistakes • Expecting to never fail • Expecting to always fail • Accepting tradition blindly • Limited by past mistakes • Quitting • Taking responsibility • Learning from mistakes • Knowing failure is a part of the process • Keeping a positive attitude • Challenging assumptions • Taking new risks • Persevering

  5. Example: Is an F a failure? • Is it uncomfortable for your child? Yes • Will your child wish to do better? Most likely • Will you want to help your child do better? Absolutely • Does it label your child a “failure?” No • An “F” can only be labeled a failure if there is no reflection or review of the assessment and no changes to perform better next time.

  6. Fear of Failure creates: • Paralysis- They stop moving forward for fear of failure • Procrastination • Purposelessness 4 Negative side effects of fear of failure: • Self Pity • Excuses • Misused energy • Hopelessness

  7. How do our kids “think” they fail? • Grades, Tests, Quizzes, Homework, Projects, Etc. • Sports Teams- playing time, which team they made, performance, etc. • Social Interactions • Making Poor Choices: “In trouble” • Physical Characteristics – adolescence; avoiding being different

  8. Student Reactions (Failing Backward): • Self Pity- This isn’t fair, Teacher/Friends hate me, I’m stupid • Excuses- Teacher didn’t teach that, I didn’t know, Coach likes him better • Misused energy- Continuing to re-hash ‘failure’, not moving forward • Hopelessness- “I’ll Never…”; “I’ll be in trouble forever”

  9. How Can We Help Students Fail Forward? • Set-backs are normal (they are not failure) • Let’s put it into perspective (What is important) • Take Responsibility (reflect on your preparation, actions, performance. mistake) • Accept consequences • What’s the plan to move forward? (What do YOU need to do first and then who else can help?) • Follow through on the plan • Continue to evaluate and re-assess

  10. Examples of Failing Forward • CNN article – Jennifer Egan – Pulitzer Prize author discusses how she will go through 50-60 drafts before a novel is published. • “The struggle, of course, is often about fear: the fear of getting it wrong, of hitting a dead end, of wasting time. Of failing.” • “Successful people, we imagine, are somehow blessed with more optimism, bigger brains and higher ideals than the rest of us. But it's not true. Successful people -- creative people -- fail every day, just like everybody else. Except they don't view failure as a verdict. They view it as an opportunity. Indeed, it's failure that paves the way for creativity.”

  11. Examples of Failing Forward • Rudy – Move about Rudy Ruettiger who follows his dream of playing football at Notre Dame even though he lacks the grades, finances, and physical traits typically expected. • Pursuit of Happyness – The movie about the real life story of Chris Gardner, who struggled through challenging times to become a successful Wall Street broker.

More Related