Failure is an option

How often do leaders proclaim that failure is not an option? It is quite motivational to burn bridges, never back down, go down fighting, and all that. How often is it actually true, though?

Perhaps it is a question of definitions. Does an option mean that something is possible? Failure is always a possibility. Success is never assured completely. So those leaders can not mean that failure is not possible, only that it is a possibility we would never choose, encourage, or condone.

Again, inspirational, but how helpful in most of life? After all, if failure is possible (chance of occuring is greater than zero), but not an option (desireability is zero), why would I risk the chance of failure at all? Why not just go home?

If failure is not an option available to me, fear of it will drive me, and I will do nothing. Which is often considered one of the greatest failures of all. Checkmate. Failure wins.

So get moving. Failure loses its power and suddenly is less likely anyway. If it does occur, no loss. Stand up, dust off, learn, and move on. It can not be a big deal because after all, failure was always an option.