Failure is not the end, it is a crucial step in the journey towards success and we should embrace the speed bumps
Failure is often seen as something to fear. Most of the time, we grew up hearing phrases like “Don’t mess up” or “Failure isn’t an option.” But the truth is, failure is not only unavoidable—it’s necessary. Without failure, success wouldn’t be possible. It’s through our mistakes and setbacks that we learn, grow and eventually achieve our goals.
Think about it: No one succeeds on their first try. Every successful person has faced failure at some point. Take Thomas Edison, for example. He failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. When asked about his failures, he famously said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His persistence shows that failure isn’t the end of the world —it’s a step on to success.
One of the most important lessons failure teaches us is resilience. When we fail, we have two choices: Give up or try again. Choosing to try again builds mental toughness and determination. It’s a hard mindset to attain but it shows us that setbacks are temporary and that we’re capable of overcoming challenges. Without failure, we wouldn’t develop the strength needed to keep going when things get tough.
Failure also teaches us valuable lessons. When something doesn’t go as planned, it forces us to reflect and ask questions. What went wrong? What can I do differently next time? These moments of reflection are where growth happens. They help us understand what works and what doesn’t, thus making us better prepared for the future.
This mostly relates to university students. University is a zone filled with high stress and the pressure to not fail. People pay hundreds of dollars to succeed but sometimes things don’t always go the right way. Failing a course or an exam might feel like the end of the world. But in reality it’s not. Maybe you need to study differently or manage your time better. Maybe you need to reach out to professors and annoy them until you understand the topic. The same applies to other areas of life like work, relationships or personal goals. Every failure is a chance to learn and grow.
Another reason failure is important is that it pushes us out of our comfort zones. If you’re not failing, you’re probably not challenging yourself enough. Success doesn’t come from playing it safe—it comes from taking risks and trying new things. It’s important to realize that when you take risks, failure is bound to happen.
It’s also worth remembering that failure makes success seem like a sweet treat. When you work hard, face setbacks and finally achieve your goal, the feeling of accomplishment is unmatched. You will reflect back on your journey and the effort it took to get there. Success without struggle doesn’t feel as meaningful.
Instead of fearing failure, embrace it. See it as a natural part of the process. Understand that failing doesn’t make you a failure—it makes you human. The key is to keep going in a healthy way, to learn from your mistakes and to use those lessons to improve.
This story was originally published in Volume 24, Issue 6 on February 6, 2025
