How do you feel when you think about failure? Do you come up with feelings like unlovable, unsuccessful, unworthy, or inadequate? Sadly, but these are the thoughts of many . The reason being is we have learned from our past programming to link failure to the value we place on ourselves as a person.

Most people believe they should become successful in their work, relationships or any endeavor at the first attempt. The truth is everyone encounters many failures before they are successful. Napoleon Hill tells of many defeats of some of the most admired and successful people the world has ever known.

Take Thomas Edison for example, the inventor of the electric light bulb and many other inventions. On his road to developing the light bulb it’s noted that he attempted over 10,000 times before it was a success. Interestingly enough, Edison didn’t look upon it as failure. He quoted “I have not failed, I’ve found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. He wasn’t afraid of failure nor did he view himself as inadequate. Had he done so, he would not have been the creator of the light bulb. We can all learn this powerful lesson from Edison.

In order to achieve the success you desire in life, you should start first by changing the way you define the word failure. Instead of seeing yourself as unworthy, inadequate, and the likes because of the short coming of your goals. Look at failure as a stepping stone to your success. After all, the world’s most successful people experienced even more failures than you before they were looked upon as successful.

One of these people were Walt Disney. He was a high school dropout and was told he had no talent. Walt Disney went through repeated financial struggles, even bankruptcy. Yet he still became the owner of one of the most successful businesses in the world.

What about Henry Ford? Henry didn’t even have a high school education, as a matter of fact he only went to school for three months. Ford Motor Company was not the first company he tried to build. It was the third company. By not giving up to failure he succeeded.

Take a look at Albert Einstein, he did very poorly in school and was asked by the teacher to do everyone a favor by dropping out. He left school, someone talked him into re-entering to school again. He went on to go to college and failed his first college entrance exam. Yet, he became one of the world’s wisest minds.

Napoleon Hill wrote about 500 most successful people. Each one said they met with temporary defeat before they ever saw success. None of them were afraid of failure. They were able to go on to success because they saw failure as a learning opportunity rather than inadequacy.

I encourage you to think about changing your concept of failure. If the fear of failure is stopping you from achieving your dreams and goals, I want to encourage you to let go of your old limiting beliefs about failing and begin to envision it as a learning opportunity on your way to your success. If you suffer from fear begin to see every failure as a step forward. I advise you to continue to reach for your dreams no matter what may come your way.