(trying to think of something zen like to say, but can't concentrate from the pain in my tongue)

Joel, bite my tounge? I usually can't even feel my tounge after doing half of the 2 things you mentioned.

In China and Japan there are many stories of teachers who attained enlightenment suddenly like this: "Umph!" You may think it was sudden, but actually it was the result of many years of practice and of failing many times. Dogen Jenji's famous words concerning this are, "Hitting the mark is the result of ninety-nine failures." The last arrow hit the mark, but only after ninety-nine failures. So failure is actually okay.

-Shunryu Suzuki

Though the righteous man falls seven times, yet seven times will he arise.

Failure is a part of life. We learn the most from failures, if we take the time to analyze what we did wrong. It's all part of the learning process.

Ali and Lewis both lost and regained their world championships. Considered amongst the best of all time.
Naseem Hamed undefeated in a long string of fights.Takes one loss against Barrera, loses confidence and disappears from the sport.
Hamed believed retiring undefeated was his ticket to greatness, the loss destroyed his fragile dream, showing he had no courage facing adversity. Even if he had achieved his goal, he would not have the knowledge or character of the others mentioned above.
How we deal with one failure teaches us more than 20 victories.

The process probably changes the person, it's not just a matter of "finding the right trick", the little thing that makes the "ready" person reach enlightenment probably would do nothing or something completely different to you or me..

Having no destination, I am never lost.

- Ikkyu

I did a road trip with friend many years ago, we just set out in his car for a long weekend and took roads signposted with towns/villages that had cool/interesting names, visited them and carried on until the next thing that grabbed our interest. The only rule was we were not allowed to backtrack, once we had a past a place it was gone. We found some really nice places and ate the best honey glazed ham I have ever had. Being lost can be fantastic.

Live for today, but plan for tomorrow.