Why Failure is the Only Way to Truly Succeed

Why do I keep failing? A raw perspective on why failure is the best thing that'll happen to you!

Failure is a funny thing. It seems as though everything we do comes with failure in some form or another. There’s always the thought of “Why do I keep failing?”

Whether it be the simple task of brushing your teeth and having that little bit of toothpaste fall out of your mouth and onto your shirt, or the utter embarrassment of a fall in a public. No matter what we do, failure is an inevitable part of life.

So, I guess the only option really, is to embrace failure. Embrace the learnings that come from failure and improve on those failures each and every time we come across them.

That’s what this post is all about… it’s short, sharp and packed full of reasons why failure is the only way to truly succeed in life. Enjoy!


What Does it Really Mean to Fail?


Failure. What is failure? Here’s a definition…

To most, failure is catastrophic. An unfavourable outcome. Something that screams pain, hardship and sacrifice.

I have a different opinion. A less dramatic opinion.

So yes, there are the big failures, but there are also the little failures, like the dropping of toothpaste on your shirt, or the stepping in dog poop…

I see failure as simply anything less than the best possible outcome. And to many, this perspective would seem harsh.

Am I a failure if I got 99% on a test? The best possible outcome would be 100%, so in theory, yes, I failed.

But, it’s the meaning that I place behind the word failure that truly allows me to be okay with failing every day.

You see, failure to me is interchangeable with the word ‘learning‘. To fail is to learn.

So, 99% in a test is a failure, yes, but it’s also a learning experience. Dropping toothpaste on my shirt is a failure, but I learn not to do that again.

When you can shift the meaning of the word failure from a disaster to a learning experience, I believe then you’ll be not only ready to fail but excited to fail!


Why Do I Keep Failing?


I hate when people call themselves unlucky.

I’ll clear something up before I continue…

I believe that some people are definitely ‘luckier’ than others. I mean I’d be kidding myself if I said I wasn’t lucky to have grown up in a wonderful neighbourhood in an affluent northern beaches community, with a loving family and incredible people around me. That’s nothing I’ve done, I was simply lucky to be born into that.

But, I do also believe that at certain times we create our own luck. We can’t necessarily change the past, but we are always in control of our future. We have the power to decide what happens next.

And yes, there are plenty of variables out of our control. But, we have the ability to consider those variables and take action accordingly.

So while I do not believe everyone is as ‘lucky’ as one another, I do believe that repeatedly calling yourself ‘unlucky’ is simply an excuse for not taking control of the next chapter.

Notice that I used the word ‘repeatedly’ because I do think some people get unlucky every now and again. We make bad choices and they can sometimes lead to less than desirable outcomes. Some of our choices are somewhat made for us, and that is unlucky.

But for those who sit back and assume the world is out to get them, I do not have sympathy. It’s tough, I know. I can’t even imagine just how tough it would be. BUT, it’s not impossible to turn that luck around. That’s my opinion anyway.


Behind Failure Lies Success. Always.


Remember a few minutes ago when I said the word ‘failure’ and ‘learning’ are interchangeable?

It’s for that exact reason that I believe failure is the only way to truly succeed.

I mean, think about it! If we learn from our failures, it’s only a matter of time until we learn enough to turn similar situations into successes.

How do we truly succeed in life? Well everyone would classify success differently, but to me, success is getting to a point where you can sit back, smile and say “that felt good”. That, to me, is success.

And again, success can be as big or small as you’d like. But nonetheless, success is a feeling of accomplishment.

The best perspective to have is one of constant learning. Have you ever noticed how when you have 1 success, no matter how big or small, you tend to have a few more in quick succession?

That’s called momentum. Momentum is a powerful thing, especially for your mind.

So, if those successes have come from the learnings you’ve had, why not translate the successes into learnings as well?

Use both failure and success to breed more success! What could go wrong?

Basically, my point is this:

Use your failures to learn not to make the same mistakes, and then use the subsequent successes to learn how to replicate that feeling.


Should we Actively Seek Failure?


Yes.

In everything I do, I hope to fail. I ask for criticism, I highlight my flaws, I praise those who speak honestly to me, I challenge my opinions, I crave learning experiences!

I seek failure because I’m okay with feeling deflated. I’m okay with not reaching my potential that one time. Because I know each subsequent failure will be less of a failure, and eventually, it’ll become a success.

With each new experience or challenge, I openly want to fail. I want to learn.

I respect the power of making mistakes. It betters me. It helps me build a list of ‘what not to do’ in certain situations, so that one day, all that’s left will be to succeed.

I know this is unrealistic to maintain all the time. I often have down days where I feel like a failure and don’t take any learnings from it except that I hate the feeling of failure. But, what keeps me going is reflection.

Seek to fail and then remember to reflect. The best lessons from failure don’t often come at the time of the mistake, but after you’ve reset your mind. This is when you should reflect. Think about your mistakes and take note of the learnings.

Remember:

Seek Failure – Learn – Try Again – Succeed

It’s a simple process!


That was an absolute rant, I know. But, I’m sick of people trying to be perfect all the time.

How could we ever improve if we were always perfect?

We couldn’t!

So, be okay with failing, because from failure comes learning, and from learning comes success.

Thanks for tuning in…

Here are some other cool opinion pieces you might like:


Until next time,

Uncle N.

why do I keep failing

why do I keep failing

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