February 17, 2025

“Sit with people committed to personal growth; the conversation is different.”

“Every successful person I know is standing on a pile of failures.” Dave Ramsey's statement resonates deeply with me because my many moments of failure have taught me more than any of my successes. That’s why the word "grit" tops my list of core values, alongside my core value of faith.

I used to fear failing because I was terrified of rejection, but I’ve realized this fear is unfounded. It’s a state of mind. I have learned that I embrace the journey ahead when I step out of my comfort zone to do something brave, something new—something that could shape my future.

Living intentionally guided me to reframe how I view failure. It gave me the desire to tackle the fear of criticism and rejection, and I hope it will inspire you, too!

Criticism tops the list of fears because it exists in our subconscious mind, where its presence is not recognized. The fear of criticism is destructive toward accomplishing God’s best for us. It blocks us from creating bold plans and putting them into action because of what others will think, say, or do. This fear is stronger than the desire for success because our mind sets up alibis and excuses that trace the fear of criticism when we don’t step toward our God-given gifts and personal potential.

We often believe we must wait until we are no longer afraid before trying to do something. However, we will probably not accomplish God’s best for us if we wait until all fear is gone. Instead, we must face our fears with courage despite any feelings of trepidation.

Intentionally Own It!

Achieving our dreams requires many tries and thousands of steps in the right direction. Don’t confuse temporary defeat with failure; every setback holds opportunities! When plans don’t work out, it often means adjustments are needed, not that we've failed. Keep your persistence alive!

Remember, you're not truly defeated until you give up in your mind. Embrace setbacks and turn them into strengths!