In my line of work, failure could be catastrophic and cost a life and hence we dread it. Despite this, I know that we did not get to where we are today in medicine without daring to try, failing and learning.
The advancements we see are a product of many failures. But they did not hinder progress.
So, I embrace failure. Seeking out the lessons embellished in each one and getting better and better.
A few days back, I was in the theatre as the most junior doctor. The case on the table was a very simple case of lump excision, scheduled to last not more than 15 mins.
I have witnessed the procedure a lot and I wanted to get my hands dirty. Going into the theatre without getting your gloves stained with blood is like going to the pool without getting wet. It means you were just a spectator missing out on the action while thinking you were in on all of it. This was my case and I was already getting mad at myself for being a spectator all these while. I needed the practice.
I informed my chief of my willingness to participate in the procedure. He agreed and I scrubbed up.
Getting to the operating table I noticed my hands failing me as it couldn't stay steady. There was no way I would handle an instrument with my shaky hands. My chief was obviously disappointed and I had to be substituted by one of my seniors who handled the task like a pro.
I was mad at myself for the show of shame.
I was determined not to let the happenings of that day to discourage me from trying again, rather I began to practice on my own knowing full well that the pros were once beginners.
By the next surgery day, I went up to the chief and requested for another chance to redeem myself and he granted me the opportunity to assist him in a more complex surgery.
This time around, my performance was praised especially my suturing of the surgical site at the end of the surgery. I am looking forward to more opportunities to handle procedures because I know I can only get better.
The fear of failure would shield us from not only failure but also successes as well. Hence the need to overcome it, take risks and ensure that we don't let that fear cripple us.
This is just my most recent example of recovering from failure and learning from it as an opportunity for success.
When you fail, get back up analyse why U failed and shoot again.
One shouldn't accept failure as an excuse not to try again.
Many thanks to @galenkp for coming up with the community and these topics.
The pictures belong to me.
Posted Using INLEO
