26A -- Celebrating Failure

1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester and failed each time. 

I assumed the majority of marketing, sales, advertising, PR, and planning for my family's ranch. I'm still responsible for some operations but, since I also work for UF as a graduate research assistant, I am not physically present on the ranch to execute operations on a day-to-day basis.  I didn't imagine this would be that difficult since I was rasing in operations on the farm and have since completed my bachelors of science in Food and Resources Economics, with a specialization in marketing and management.  I felt prepared.  However, the sheer volume of tasks and the mental ability to switch between graduate classes, job one, job two, and volunteering was quite an adjustment.

There were several times I needed to have animal data ready for a customer and was unable to do so before they arrived at the ranch.  Other times, I neglected homework and studying to drive back to the ranch to handle an issue or close on a sale. While these certainly felt like failures at the time, I have accepted that a cost/benefit analysis is necessary for nearly all day-to-day decisions.  There is often more than one thing requiring attention. So, I separate things into my must, need, and want category in an effort to judge and process them effectively.

2) Tell us what you learned from it.  

There have been multiple occasions this semester when I felt I had failed, in the very least, to do my very best.  I learned it is sometimes necessary to adjust my expectations when the tasks on hand for the week are not feasible. Delegating has always been difficult for me because I grew up watching my father do everything even though he owns the company.  He never asked someone to do anything he wasn't able and willing to do himself.  But, there are far too many tasks for him to do it all alone.

This semester has been about finding and pushing my limits.  It's been about knowing when to say, "thank you for the offer but I would not be able to handle that in addition to my current obligations."

3) Reflect, in general, on what you think about failure. Failure is hard, isn't it? It's embarrassing, sure, but it also means that we have to change something about ourselves. Talk about how you handle failure (emotionally, behaviorally). Finally, talk about how this class has changed your perspective on failure -- are you more likely to take a risk now than you were just a few months ago?

I think our dealings with failure offer the best opportunities to evaluate our pridefulness.  If you understand that failure is simply part of our journey towards success, then the only technical reason to be upset is pridefulness.  There are of course other aspects, like providing for your household, that is huge factors.  But, on a philosophical level, pride is often what I find contorting my attitude after failure or underachievement.

God has also been teaching me the need to trust Him with everything.

"And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life?  If then you are unable to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, oh you of little faith!"

When everything is about gloriying God, there is no need to fret.  God provides both ability and grace. What more does mankind need?  In my opinion: nothing.

This class has changed my perspective on failure by providing an elaborate framework of interconnected thoughts.  Such a network is undoubtedly prone to failure and inconsistency. Yet, some of the value in these assignments is derived from their ability to foster failure, and henceforth, our handling of it.

Thank you for reading!  I hope you enjoyed.

Sincerely, 

Jerrett