We are just few months shy of our one-year since opening our doors in Las Vegas! This experience of starting a community based treatment center has been the most challenging, fulfilling, and vulnerable experience I have ever been through. I have felt rejected, been rejected, been called both encouraging and dismissive names such as “crazy, brave, strong, insane, inspiring,…” the list goes on and on. I continue to ask myself “what do all those words actually mean?” Some have a negative undertone, some are very supportive, and some question my ability to be successful in this industry. Any time I get these comments there are only two words that come to my mind. FAIL LOUD.
Peoples reaction to the phrase FAIL LOUD vary. They ask; “What does that mean? Why would you want to fail? Or even use that word as your motivation to be successful?”. Those are all valid questions that may require a bit of explanation, so I’m here to explain this motto and how this will be such a large part of the movement EndureLV strives to create in the Las Vegas community.
In addiction, so many suffer silently. So many attempt recovery and still suffer silently. So many have AMAZING opportunities in recovery that they turn down out of fear. Fear for the very same reasons I experienced above. The fear of vulnerability, the fear of rejection, the fear of what people will say, and for some… the fear of success. My Motto, if I’m going to fail, I’m going to do it so loud that everyone around me will know. If everyone around me knows, I can sleep tonight knowing that I gave it my best most vulnerable shot. That I did so knowing that I could face rejection but I didn’t fear it, that I completely accepted this as a possible outcome. If I’m going to fall on my face, I’m going to do it so loud that when it happens, people around me will ask me “how can I help” instead of silently suffering wondering how I’m going to get myself back up alone. I’m not going down without a fight.
There is nothing wrong with failing. The word comes with so much negative when in reality, failing is just an opportunity to grow and learn. The chance for success always comes with the risk of failure. Do I want to hide in the shadows fearful of failure? Or do I want to fail so loud that everyone around me knows I gave it my best shot. Sure, if I go down there will still be a ton of people saying “I told you so” or “I knew that would happen”. The people that are ultimately going to matter I the end are the ones that say “Man, you gave that your best effort and I’m so proud of you, how can we help you get back up”. Those are the people that you meet along the way of this journey and depend on. Those are the people you keep in your circle of trust.
So what do all those words actually mean? “She’s crazy, she’s inspiring, she’s gutsy.” It means “she’s” (or he’s) willing to be vulnerable, she is willing to get rejected, she is willing to be wrong, to get criticized, to learn, to sacrifice and to possibly do what others won’t. All to potentially fail at something that she is truly passionate about, but also potentially make a change and a difference.
So next time you question yourself on your ability to do something;
Can I rebuild my life?
Can I do a 5k?
Can I take this job?
Am I qualified?
Can I live my dream?
Can I love this much?
Can I stay sober?
The answer is YES, Fail Loud my friend and you will succeed no matter what the outcome.
Written By: Brittani Sitar Owner and Founder of EndureLV- Treatment Center in Las Vegas