How I Failed In 2018

Who cares to admit complete defeat?

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to send out holiday cards to friends about my accomplishments in 2018. I am grateful for the growth and success I’ve had this year, but I’ve found that I learn more from my failures. Some of us shy away from the word fail and many more are completely uncomfortable admitting them publicly.

We’ve all come to see how projecting success and pointing the finger at others has become so rampant. It’s taken over our politics and social media has become a place to project fake narratives about how life is going great. As a leader, I often encounter people that don’t want to showcase weaknesses or admit mistakes. My hope for all of us is that we reach a level of self-awareness that allows for continuous growth.

Jay-Z once said you win or you learn. Here is the list of failures I’ve had this year.

List of Failures in 2018:
The rate of chronic absenteeism for black students has gone up in San Francisco
The achievement/opportunity gap has not been closed
I was rejected by Y Combinator for Mission Bit
I didn’t secure funding from the foundations at Google, Adobe or Salesforce
I didn’t finish that book I wanted to write
I didn’t purchase the 5 units of rental property I wanted to secure
I stopped taking my Spanish lessons
I stopped going to Jiu-Jitsu courses
I showed up late to meetings
I didn’t make it to Africa this year
I flaked on commitments to show up for events and meetings

I am focused on cutting excuses, practicing accountability and not shying away from taking the steps necessary for growth. Two of my favorite reads this year were Extreme Ownership by Jocko Wilkins and Stick With It by Sean Young. As I close out the year, I plan to re-read them. We listen to our favorite songs more than once, why not re-read dope books? Also, I just started David Goggins new book Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds. He operates a whole other level. Check out these books and let me know what you think.