Failure is inescapable. Every single person on earth fails at something. You will fail in this life. A lot. And often. 

What does failure say about you? What does failure mean? Why did you fail? Will you fail again? 

Our response to failure is extremely important. 

Failure, on one hand, is a matter of perspective. As a generation, Gen Y (later teens and twenty somethings) has experienced very little failure. 

Parents are prone to blame coaches and teachers if their kids don't do well.

Showing up to class and doing the assigned reading basically guarantees at least a B. 

Very few Gen Y'ers have had jobs (and have never been fired or reprimanded at by a boss).

What happens if you haven't experienced failure before? 

For seniors in college, lack of failure experience can paralyze, because for the first time, the stakes are REALLY, REALLY high. 

You might choose the wrong career path. Maybe no one will hire you. Your parents might be disappointed with what you choose. You might not get a good score on the MCAT, GMAT, or GRE. Grad schools might not accept you. You might not become who you think you should or could become. You might not reach your potential. 

Wow- that's frightening. 
Self-assessment: how do you normally respond when things don't go your way? Blaming, justifying, grieving, pretending, trying harder next time, depression, negative self-talk...

Upcoming post: Jesus and failure