The Ways in Which We Fail

In school, we were not taught that failure is a natural part of success. At least I wasn't in that class. However, as we grow older, we realize that failure is an inevitable aspect of life.

Social media often showcases successful people and their achievements, but what we don't often see are the failures they experienced along the way. Failure is often an essential component of reaching great heights because those who aim higher and try harder are bound to make mistakes.

To truly understand success, we should learn from both the successes and failures of our heroes. Unfortunately, people tend to be hesitant to talk about their failures. We are programmed to pursue success as it leads to various benefits in life, such as better relationships, improved financial status, and social status. It's human nature to desire success and show it off, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Let's be honest. We all desire success and work hard to achieve it. However, failure is always a possibility. And so, to achieve success, we must be aware of the ways we might fail:

• Persistence is crucial for success. Many successful business owners have faced bankruptcy and failures multiple times before eventually achieving success. The reason they succeeded was their unwavering persistence. In our own endeavors, we might encounter doubts and challenges that make us feel uncertain and tempted to give up. We may fear that the process is taking too long with no visible results, leading us to abandon the current project or idea for something new.

However, it's essential to understand that success is not an overnight phenomenon. Like the journey of famous athletes who reach their peak after years of failing, achieving our goals often requires multiple attempts. Just like persistent kids who relentlessly pursue what they want, we need to adopt a similar mindset. If something doesn't work the first time, it's not a reason to quit. We should be willing to try again and again until we achieve the desired outcome. True success comes to those who remain persistent in the face of challenges and setbacks, refusing to give up on their dreams.

When I first posted an article on LinkedIn, it received only a few likes from my husband, close colleagues, and a couple of random people. At that point, I had two options: either stop writing altogether or try again. I chose to persist and continued posting more articles. Each piece was different, and the reactions varied. Some articles garnered a significant number of insights, while others received no reactions at all.

Becoming a famous or influential writer was not my primary goal. Instead, I aimed to build a loyal circle of followers who would be interested in reading my insights and articles. The journey was not easy, and nobody ever said it would be. Most of the time, I found myself alone with my ideas and visions, and it was up to me to convey them effectively. But I embraced the challenge and remained persistent in pursuing my goal.

Today, I can say that I am satisfied with my progress. It's a long and continuous process, requiring dedication and persistence. No one said it would be a walk in the park, but I know that persistently sharing my thoughts and ideas is the key to building the engaged audience I desire.

• Having a clear goal and a well-defined plan is essential for achieving success, whether in sports or any other aspect of life. When you have a specific objective, the path towards it becomes more manageable.

For example, consider sports. Let's say you go to the gym after work. Why do you do it? Perhaps you aim to improve your overall health or fitness level, or maybe you just want to feel more confident. Whatever your reason, having a specific goal in mind makes it easier to stay motivated and focused on your workouts.

Take the example of someone who sets a goal to run 100 km (besides, that's my goal right now). This is not just a vague aspiration; it's a concrete objective with a well-thought-out plan to achieve it. To prevent injuries and prepare physically and mentally, they carefully structure their training regimen. Although it may sometimes conflict with other summer plans or require sacrificing some enjoyable activities, they remain dedicated to their goal. Through persistence and consistency, they steadily become more disciplined and adept at balancing their workouts with their other responsibilities. The clear plan and specific steps provide a roadmap to reach the bigger goal of running 100 km.

In summary, having a well-defined goal and a structured plan is crucial for achieving success. It keeps us focused, disciplined, and motivated on our journey, even when we encounter obstacles along the way. Consistency and persistence are the driving forces that help us stay on track and eventually reach our objectives.

• Listening to other people's doubts and negative opinions can be challenging, especially when it comes to personal goals and visions. Before adopting our daughter, we experienced some skepticism from our close circle. People doubted our ability to succeed in raising an adopted child, claiming that adopted children are problematic and it would negatively impact our biological children's lives.

However, we stood firm in our decision and went ahead with the adoption. In hindsight, we are convinced that it was the right choice, and we couldn't have made a better decision. Although it is important to respect and value the opinions of our loved ones, but at the same time, we need to take caution against letting doubts hinder personal goals and dreams.

Many times, people's doubts are rooted in their own negative experiences or unfounded rumors, which may not be applicable to the individual's unique situation. To achieve success, it is essential to create an environment that fosters belief in oneself and supports personal aspirations.

Surrounding oneself with positive influences and like-minded individuals can be instrumental in staying focused and motivated to achieve one's goals, despite the doubts of others. Ultimately, success often requires the ability to tune out negative voices and trust in one's own judgment and vision.

Before joining my current company, I used to work for another healthcare company. When I informed my family about my decision to leave, my mother jumped up and said, "Are you crazy? This is a great company, you have to stay here." I'm pretty sure now that she added, "At least for 10 years." Not sure what she meant, but try telling that to Gen Z now. I left, though, even though the company was wonderful. I had everything I wanted in that job, but deep down, I knew that I needed to be somewhere else.

I understand that our families and friends always have our best interests at heart, and I deeply respect that. However, it's important to recognize that our goals and aspirations may not always be understood by others, even those closest to us. They might not comprehend our vision at the present moment or perhaps never fully grasp it.

The doubts and skepticism from others may persist, and they might not admit they were wrong in the end. Nevertheless, what truly matters is that we made an effort to pursue our dreams and achieve our goals. Success is not the only measure of accomplishment; trying and giving our best is equally significant. Even if we face obstacles or setbacks, having the courage to take action and strive for our aspirations is a success in itself.

• Many times, we don't even attempt certain endeavors because the fear of failure becomes overwhelming. Take a moment to reflect on all the good opportunities you've turned down in your life; chances are you can recall at least a few. As human beings, we naturally strive to create comfortable and happy lives for ourselves. We associate success with happiness and fulfillment, and we seek those qualities in every step we take.

However, the fear of failure can be so paralyzing that we choose to settle for less or avoid trying altogether. This way of thinking is a mistake. We should not let the judgments of strangers or the possibility of facing punishment deter us from pursuing our dreams. It's important to break free from the constraints of fear and the influence of others, even well-meaning individuals like our mothers.

Instead, we should ask ourselves: Don't we owe it to ourselves to give it a try? Taking a chance, even if it leads to failure, is better than living with regrets for not attempting at all. It's through trying that we grow, learn, and discover our true potential. By overcoming the fear of failure and embracing the uncertainty of new experiences, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and personal growth. So, don't be afraid to take that leap of faith and give it your best shot.