“Fail forward.”
I have never given the saying that much thought. What does it mean exactly? Two simple words, that together, become a complex, life changing sentence.
Let’s start with the first word: fail. The truth is, we all fail at some point in our life. I have. I have failed more times than I can count. I’ve failed in every aspect of my life: physically, mentally, as a father, a friend, an employee, as a comedian. And I have hated every one of my failures. No one likes to fail. We are told at an early age that failing is bad. We’re supposed to succeed, not fail. But avoiding failure can cripple our full potential in life, and in the gym.
I wanted to be a comedian since I can remember. Since the days of West Coast Video, when I would go rent a stand up special on a Friday night (in case you were wondering how popular I was). The first time I got on stage I was 35. I pushed that dream down for 20 years, out of fear that I would fail at it. And honestly, I probably would have kept it pushed down if it wasn’t for my daughter. At the time, she loved singing but refused to sing in public out of her own fear of failing. So, we made a bet. Three years later and I am on stage every weekend, pursuing my dream—which I fail at constantly. Ironically, what I have learned in three years, is that in the world of comedy, failing is important. If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing the envelope. You’re not growing.
Failing in the gym is also important. It’s hard to realize our true physical limits if they’re never tested, if we never fail. I know, it’s easier said than done. We all have this thing called pride. It feels better to say, “I can probably do 20 pushups” than to attempt it and find out you can only do 12.
I struggled with this when I first started working out 18 years ago, and honestly, I am struggling with it now. Two days ago, I walked into the gym, looked at the pullup bar, and said, “I bet could do 10 right now”. I should be able to do 10. Shoot, I used to be able to do 30 (when I was 30). I didn’t try. Yesterday, I went in, and while no one was looking, I went for 10 pullups. I couldn’t get one. My arms are still weak. My grip strength is lacking. My back is tight. And now, my pride got a spanking.
The truth is, ignorance isn’t bliss. I am better off now knowing that I can’t do something I thought I could. Now that I know, I can work on changing that. Today, I went to the gym and asked a man to hold my feet while I did pullups. WE did eight. It was kind of embarrassing. What won’t be embarrassing? When I can do 10 pullups unassisted. That brings up the second word: forward.
There is a one-minute, metamorphic YouTube clip that sums it up perfectly, called “Be The Hero of Your Own Movie.” The first time I watched it was also the week I got on stage for the first time. I cried instantly. And not a manly, single tear drop down the cheek cry. An animalistic, I buried my dream for 20 years and I just realized it’s one of my biggest regrets, cry.
Have goals, write them down, and always be looking forward to the future. Imagine the future you, conquering your goals.
Now, go fail this week. Try something that scares you because of failure. Anything. Take a spin class, try the pullup bar, use a machine at the gym you never used before, go bomb at karaoke, ask someone out that you’ve been avoiding out of fear (Unless they’re married. In that case, shame on you).
Some say that you never fail, if you never quit. So, fail. Keep failing towards that future you. And who knows, maybe if we all fail enough, we can all be the hero of our own movie.
See also:
Our Rebuild: The Journey Begins Today
Comedian Buddy Harris To Write Column For North Penn Now
Local Comedian Overwhelmed By Support Following Cancer Diagnosis
Northbound 309 Backup Caused by Camel Tow [UPDATED]
Deck The Walls Art Show Draws Crowd To Lansdale
