Failure is not the Opposite of Success, it is part of Success

I am sharing this part of my life because few weeks ago, I read Adekunle Aina 's life chronicles of failure and success, and I was invigorated beyond words. Perhaps, mine can also strike a cord on your journey, especially because we most often post and read about others' success and achievements that we often forget that failure could be part of it.

Last month, I had my share of the excruciating pain that comes with failure. I can compare the pain score to the type I felt when I lost my Dad in 2010. On this fateful day, I was at the bus stop, when I saw the notification that I had failed my PLAB 2 exam (UKMLA), which I did two weeks earlier. The UKMLA is an exam that International Medical Graduates sit and pass before getting registered with a license to practice in the UK.

I had put all my energy and totality into the exam preparation and it was too painful a failure that my taste buds became bitter for several days, to say I was devastated would be an understatement. I had never failed an exam before, and there was too much at stake on this, and to worsen my situation, I borrowed the money I used to register for the exam. It was a colossal hit for me. I was hanging by faith at those time. Sadly, I had no hope of getting funds to rewrite as soon as I would have wished, but I trusted God to find a way. I am very grateful to my dear wife, Tolani Kolawole , for all her support and encouragement.

Few days later, my mentor, Dr Olalekan Adepoju - who lent me the money for the registration of the first attempt- told me to get up and start planning how to attempt the exam again. He further lent me money again, to book the exam at any time I desire and feel ready . That was all the encouragement I needed. Then, I arose, and luckily I found a date, but it was just 5 days to the exam date. I felt very unready and unsure, but my wife gave me the encouragement and we prayed and led to go ahead, hence, I booked again.

Fortunately, after I failed at the first attempt, instead of blaming the system or the General Medical Council , I took sole responsibility for the failure and I began to make amendment even before I got funds or booking date. It was then I realised a lot of gap in my previous approach to the exam, even though I had much knowledge. I spent quality time on GMC website, read several materials and watched videos from various Academy groups.

In short, I prepared for another attempt, prayed earnestly, and I didn’t tell anyone about the second registration, except my wife- not even my mentor who lent me the registration money. Behold, I passed the exam, at the second attempt.

My intention with this article is to remind my reader the words of Napoleon Hill, that "Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success". Even though failure is often very painful especially if you have given your best. But if it happens, make sure you fail forward and not backward. Failing forward is part of the process to success. It is accepting the situation, taking responsibility for it and forging ahead with renewed strength.

Likewise, in your journey, make sure you have a good mentor. When life hit you, you need someone in a higher capacity to lift you. Many young people abuse relationships and forfeit useful connections because of immediate gratification or the mirage of self-making. No one is self made except an arrogant man. I appreciate my mentor, Dr Olalekan Adepoju for always believing in me to the uttermost, even beyond my own widest imagination.

Winston Churchill said "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts". Our life journey is like the trough and crest of a wave- low and high. If the electrical heart tracing of a man is not alternating up and down, that man's heart is said to be malfunctioning. Our life can be likened to this too. While no one prays for failure, yet, to be honest, life will throw some darts at us all, but our resilience and preparation will determine our outcome. Wisdom is profitable to direct, and I wish you well indeed.

As I look forward to getting my GMC license and register to practice my profession in the UK, I deeply acknowledge the rigorous effort that GMC put in the UKMLA to ensure fairness and equality to all. Special thanks to everyone who have been instrumental to my journey.

I am open to related job opportunities and I will be glad if you wish to get in touch with me.

Dr. A. D. Akintayo (MB;BS, Ibadan)

Southampton UK.