E10 Dealing with Failure: A Discussion About Processing, Understanding, and Growing From Setbacks

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Carlos Correa, Professional Baseball Shortstop, Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

Failure is tough, and if we are honest with ourselves, we all experience some level of failure on a near daily basis. Some of these failings are small, while others are substantial and can have real impacts on our lives. Given how commonly failure occurs, we need to figure out how to deal with it in a health way. To give us a unique perspective on how we overcome our fear of failure, work through it an effective manner, and come out stronger on the other side, our guest for this episode is Major League Baseball Player, 3 time All-Star, Gold Glove Winner, and World Series Champion…Carlos Correa.

 

Here are the three big questions we are going to tackle with Carlos:

 

1- What does “failure” really mean, and why is it such a universal experience?

2- Why do so many people struggle with failure, and what mental and emotional barriers keep us stuck?

3- What practical steps can the average person take to process failure positively and use it as fuel for growth?

 

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions in the PDF for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

 

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1. Carlos Correa defines failure as "just feedback on my way to success." What is a recent "failure" in your life that you might view as valuable feedback?
2. As our guest discussed, avoiding failure often means avoiding growth. What is one area in your life where you might be holding back or not taking risks due to a fear of failure?
3. Carlos sets incredibly lofty goals for himself (e.g., 1000 OPS, MVP) and views success as existing along a spectrum. How do you typically set goals? How might adopting a similar "lofty goal" and "spectrum of success" mindset change your approach to achieving your goals?
4. Carlos shares how injuries led him to research and adopt new training methods (like fascia training), turning an obstacle into a path for growth. Can you recall a significant setback or "failure" that ultimately led you to learn something new or develop a valuable skill?
5. The discussion highlights the danger of comparing oneself to others, especially when it leads to envy. Carlos, however, sees the success of young players like Bobby Witt as inspiration. How do you manage comparisons in your own life? Are you easily able to celebrate the success of others? If comparisons leave you feeling discouraged, how might you shift your perspective to find inspiration from their achievements?
6. The idea of "failing quickly, small, and safely" (e.g., practicing surgery in a lab) is presented as a way to learn from mistakes without catastrophic consequences. What is one area of your life where the stakes feel high? What opportunities do you have to experiment and learn in a controlled environment?
7. Carlos emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who want to be great and who you trust to give honest feedback during tough times. Who are these people in your life?
8. The challenge at the end asks you to identify something you fear failing in and then analyze why you're afraid. Take a moment to discuss as a group.

 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube

Email: optimize@mayo.edu