Success and Failure: A Necessary Partnership

The path to success is paved with bricks of failure. This may sound counterintuitive, yet there’s no escaping the truth in it. Many of us chase success while avoiding failure at all costs. Ironically, this avoidance often comes at a high price. We’re willing to pay it, not just once but over and over, despite how elusive success remains for most of us.

The reality is that success, as we envision it, is often a mirage. We become so fixated on achieving a particular image of success that we never truly experience what it feels like. This post is an attempt to dispel myths about success and failure, so you can approach life with fewer obstacles and more fulfillment.

Myth #1: Success Is Objective and Universal

One irrefutable truth: no one is good at everything. Still, we’ve convinced ourselves that some people are just “lucky” and seem to have it all. Yes, we all start from different points in life, but these starting points don’t guarantee anyone more success. Success is deeply personal and subjective—what feels like a high level for one person might mean very little to another.

To find your own success, define it for yourself. Let go of other people’s definitions. When you live for your dreams rather than someone else’s, you begin to follow a path that’s truly your own.

Myth #2: The Grass Is Always Greener

In today’s world, it’s easy to envy the lifestyles others portray, especially through social media. But craving another person’s life, particularly when you don’t see the whole picture, is dangerous. Ironically, those we idolize might long for the simplicity or peace that we often take for granted. Nature has a way of balancing things—even those who appear to “have it all” often have parts of their lives in turmoil.

Those we admire or envy can be just as lost as we are. When we remember this, we’re more likely to find value in our own journeys and appreciate what we already have.

The Role of Failure in Growth

Life is a series of failures, and our response to them is what determines our growth. From infancy, we fail constantly, yet we adapt and grow rapidly because we embrace failure as part of the learning process. But as adults, our egos get in the way. Social pressures make us fear failure, and we become overly concerned with what others think.

Remember that sense of possibility you had as a child? What happened to it? Why do we care so much about others’ opinions? It seems absurd to let someone who doesn’t understand our goals dictate our path. Imagine asking a figure skater how to be a firefighter, or a math teacher to teach you how to fly a plane. Their advice would be irrelevant—and yet, we often take advice from people who don’t understand our unique ambitions.

Letting Go of Fear and Embracing Failure

To truly achieve your goals, you need to embrace failure. Most people let fear or desire dictate their actions, which limits them to doing just enough to avoid failure. But this mindset holds you back from your full potential.

When you release fear and desire, you make room for growth. If you fail, consider it an opportunity to try again with newfound wisdom. If it costs you financially, think of it as an investment in experience. Each setback provides valuable lessons that are sometimes even more meaningful than successes.

Learning from Every Setback

Become comfortable with your failures. Don’t dwell on them or judge yourself. Instead, allow each experience to unfold as it should, learning from what doesn’t go as planned. It’s never too late to pursue your own path. The life you’re seeking has been waiting for you all along. You know where to find it. Set aside fear, and step forward—it’s closer than you think.