Why Failure Is Not the End of the Journey

Failure is not the end of the journey, it is part of the journey. Albert Einstein once said:

Show me a man who has never made a mistake and I will show you a man who has never tried anything.

Life can go horribly wrong sometimes, often for reasons beyond one’s control. This, however, is not an excuse or reason to give up on life.

Here I share 5 tips on how you can bounce back.

1. Allow Yourself To Grieve

Bouncing back from failure or loss is never easy so it is important to allow yourself to grieve. Resisting it can prolong the process of getting over the loss. People grieve for any number of reasons — failed relationships, loss of loved ones or failed business ventures. Grieving is a personal process that has no time limit, neither is there a right or wrong way. Being aware of the 5 stages of grieving may be helpful in coping with your circumstances.

Denial

The first reaction is refusal to accept what has happened. We try to hold on to the previous status quo. This is nature’s way of cushioning shock and pain.

Anger

As denial wears off the reality of what has happened, together with its pain, re-emerge. Unable to cope with the strong emotions aroused, we become angry. The anger may be aimed at people or things.

Bargaining

Failure and loss leave us feeling helpless and vulnerable. In an effort to regain control we bargain with a higher power to reverse our situation or turn it into something more favourable.

Depression

Depression eventually sets in as we worry over what we could have done to prevent the loss or failure.

Acceptance

In this stage we make peace with ourselves and it is a sign that we are ready to move on. We may not necessarily be happy but will be calm.

2. Set New Goals

The goals you set don’t have to be big. One goal is better than none. Small steps make a difference. Someone once said:

Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and concepts. When you feel like giving up remember your big WHY and keep your mind on your goals. Don’t be hindered by uncertainties.

3. Find An Accountability Buddy

Let go of your ego and find yourself an accountability buddy. This should be someone you can trust to provide feedback and constructive criticism. You must at least have a common goal and they must be willing to support you stay on track. Communication by email or phone is fine but face-to-face interaction is the best.

4. Schedule Tasks

We live in an age of to-do-lists; some as long as our arms. Being told to focus on the 3 most important things is all very well in certain situations but what if there are more than 3? The best thing is to schedule everything over a day, week or month pretty much like you did back in school when you had a time-table. Make use of a year planner so you can track your progress at a glance. Make adjustments as necessary.

5. Engage in Self-reflection

Schedule in some time for self-reflection. How frequently and how long you do this will depend on your circumstances.

Every 7 years Designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a year long sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh their creative outlook. (source: Ted Talks.)

Not everyone has the luxury to do this but even a day a week can make a big difference. You’ll soon find a rhythm that works best for you. This is also the time for you to express gratitude for all the good things in your life.