Trickett turning failure into Gold?

Australian Libby Trickett is poised for a gold rush in Beijing, based on form and world ranking. Much wiser than when she went to Athens as Libby Lenton, and a world record holder, Libby is reported to have learned from the experience. Back in 2004 Libby buckled under the pressure and expectation and 'only' managed team gold in the relay and bronze in her pet event the 100 metre freestyle. This was considered 'failure' in light of her preparation and it is encouraging to read that Libby views her experience as one of "learning'.
I believe there is no such thing as failure unless we choose it be, or if we let a bad result cause us to quit. We either like a result or we don't, and unless we are willing to learn from the result, then we can not grow and move forward. Most of the world's biggest achievers have succeeded after many a failure. In fact, no-one can succeed without failing first. Often we might place higher meaning to where that failure occurs - especially in the big Olympic spotlight as happened for Libby.
That Libby Trickett has continued to work hard in her sport and win the admiration of supporters, sponsors and peers is testament to the attitude of persistence and an ability to learn from the hard knocks.
What can you learn from your least desired results? What do you need to learn in order for you to succeed?

Goal Setting with Brian Tracy

I was reading "Maximum Achievement" by Brian Tracy last night and got some new distinctions with regard to Goal Setting. It wasn't anything that I hadn't heard before, but just by reading it again and being open to learning something new, I understood it at a deeper level.
It is with regard to the power of persistence, particularly for goals that are much bigger than your current experience. These goals do not come easy or quickly - as Brian Tracy says "you will have to grow and develop to the point that you are ready to achieve it." Consequently, you experience challenges to reach that point.
Think of all the great things that you have achieved in the past - did they follow times of difficulty and even initial 'failures'? When you experience the same challenge over and over again, there is still something for YOU to GET. Here is another chance to learn and grow.
Many of the greatest successes in time occurred 'one step beyond' a great failure. Often it seems like everything is suggesting to quit, when in fact it is the challenge to you - HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT THIS GOAL? How much do you belief in yourself. Along the way you even get to learn something about faith and trust at a deeper level than you ever thought possible.
Get the learnings, belief in yourself and your dream, and GO FOR IT!