Fail more.

In April 1998, I was a month away from graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism. It was also the month I traveled to MTV’s office in Times Square because I was determined to win the first ever Wanna Be a VJ contest. The winner was awarded $25,000 and a one-year contract to be a veejay on Total Request Live.

As a child, I taught myself to memorize copy while co-hosting ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings from my bedroom. I began hosting the teen talk show Graffiti Street, in the Virgin Islands at age 14 years. I could read a teleprompter, write engaging stories, and I knew music. This role was made for me!

With the help of Greyhound, I made the seven-hour ride to New York. At 5:30 am, I took my place in the already long line. Why were there so many contestants for MY opportunity? As the line inched along, contestants were notified that proof of American citizenship was required. All I had with me was my University ID. I begged someone to save my place in line while I ran to the Time Square Police Department substation to make a collect call home to the Virgin Islands. My mother delivered. She faxed a copy of my birth certificate to the police station, and I returned to the line.

It was 5pm when I finally entered the Time Square studios. In the first part of the interview, I shared my journalism background. In the second part of the interview, I introduced a video. I wanted to be professional, but relatable. They needed to see that I was no stranger to television, but that I was also the girl people wanted in their living rooms. If I made it to the next round, I would be notified by 12 midnight on April 14, 1998.

I returned to Pittsburgh. I did not receive a call. MTV chose Jesse Camp.

I was angry! They weren’t looking for an experienced journalist at all!

What I did next, changed the trajectory of my life — I chose to move on.

Less than a month later, I was casually told about a movie being filmed in the area. I had never auditioned for an acting role before, but I went to the production office anyway. My opening line: “Hi. Do you all need any more actors?”

That audition won me the role of Martha Reeves in the movie “The Temptations” starring Smokey Robinson, Lamman Rucker, and many more. It also secured my membership in the Screen Actors Guild.

I seemingly failed at securing a veejay MTV, but I chose not to make the failure my identity. I tried again, and gained the opportunity of a lifetime.

Three things I learned from failure.

1. It is only as painful as you allow it to be.

2. It helps you cross things off your “To Do” list.

3. It brings you one step closer to your next “win.”

Have you been playing it safe?

I have. It’s time to fail some more.