Failure is generally equated with bad—something to be feared, avoided, or even to be ashamed of. But if we look at it closely, failure is not the end of the road but a stepping stone to success and self-improvement. The most successful people in history—from the inventors and artists to the athletes and entrepreneurs—have all failed. What makes them different is how they responded to it.
Mistakes shape our lives by teaching us lessons. When things do not go as we desire, we have no option but to reflect and evaluate our choices, methods, and even temperament. Such moments of reflection normally lead to growth. We learn more from our mistakes than from our achievements because they test us, humble us, and force us to seek better means of moving forward.
Failure also makes us strong. Things don’t always go the way we want them to. Life is not definite, and not everything works out. Dealing with failure teaches us to deal with disappointment, how to rebound, and how to be strong when things are tough. It toughens our emotional muscles and gets us ready for what comes ahead. Individuals who experience failure are likely to have a type of quiet strength and inner confidence because they know they’ve been through difficult days and they made it through.
Additionally, failure forces us out of our comfort zones. When we fail, we are forced—if not pushed—to do things differently, go down a different path, or acquire a new skill. This can lead us to new paths we would have otherwise never known. For example, someone who fails in one profession can find himself discovering a completely different area of work that is more profitable and fulfilling.
Failure also reminds us that we are human. In a society where they only share their best, it is easy to think that everyone else is living better than us. But the reality is that everyone fails. Failure brings us together with others by reminding us that we all fail. It can make us more compassionate and understanding towards others who fail.
Most importantly, failure redefines success. When we fail, we get to redefine what success is to us. Is it success by other people’s standards, or is it fulfillment, personal growth, and being ourselves? Most people who fail end up living richer, more enriching lives because they were forced to look deeper in themselves and find their true purpose.
In short, while failure hurts at the time, it is the greatest teacher life has to teach us. It tries our character, strengthens our resolve, and brings us to a more profound understanding of ourselves and what we truly want. We must not be afraid of failure but embrace it as part of the journey and something of immense value. For it is in our most profound pain that we discover our utmost strength
