As kids, we’re taught that screwing up is a big no-no. We’re told that success is what we should aim for and anything less is a bummer. But TBH, failing is a crucial part of the journey to success. It ain’t the end of the road, but more like a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
The fear of failing can hold us back from chasing our dreams and taking risks. We worry about what people will say if we don’t make it and we imagine all the bad stuff that could go down if we fail. But what if we flipped the script and saw failing as a way to learn and grow?
Some of the most successful peeps in history failed hard before they made it big. Oprah Winfrey got the axe from her first TV gig but went on to become one of the most successful talk show hosts ever. J.K. Rowling got denied by lots of publishers before Harry Potter became a worldwide sensation. And Michael Jordan missed over 9,000 shots in his career, but he’s remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
These examples make it clear that failing isn’t the end of the line, but rather an essential part of the journey to success. When we fall on our faces, we learn lessons that we wouldn’t have learned otherwise. We pick up new perspectives, gain grit, and become more resilient.
Failing also teaches us to be humble and appreciate the value of hard work. When we achieve success without experiencing failure, we might take it for granted and forget how much effort it took to get there. But when we fail and have to work hard to overcome obstacles, we appreciate success all the more.
So how can we reframe our thinking and see failing as an opportunity rather than a setback? First, we gotta focus on the positive stuff and ask ourselves questions like, “What did I learn from this experience?” and “How can I use this knowledge to be better next time?”
We can also look to successful peeps who overcame major fails. Reading bios or watching interviews with these folks can help us see that failure is a natural part of the journey to success.
Finally, we can be kind to ourselves and remember that everyone has fails in life. When we mess up, let’s practice self-compassion and use our fails as motivation to keep going and keep growing.
The bottom line is this: failing is not the end, but rather a stepping stone to success. By changing our mindset and seeing failing as an opportunity to learn and grow, we can achieve greater things than we ever thought possible. So let’s embrace the fails and use them as fuel for success.
