The Five Freedoms of Facing Failure

To err is human.  Not to admit it is even more human.

For seventy-seven years I’ve lived in a world where countless people have sincerely tried to help me – parents, teachers, coaches, and friends – helpers all.

And the end result of all this help? I felt I was a failure.  To me, every suggestion implied that I wasn’t good enough. Help always seemed to include an implication of failure.

“Alan, you’re too sensitive,” was my mother’s refrain throughout my entire childhood.  I know she was tryin...