You Failed, So What?!

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher

Failure. It’s a heavy word, isn’t it? Most of us define it as not achieving the outcome we hoped for or expected. But we don’t stop there. Oh no. We often add an extra layer of meaning: "And that means I’m a failure." Suddenly, it’s not just about the thing that didn’t work out. It’s about you.

Meaning Making, Failure Making

This isn’t something you’re consciously choosing. Our minds are meaning-making machines, tirelessly trying to make sense of things. They reason, analyze, and solve problems—sometimes a little too enthusiastically.

And when something doesn’t go as planned, your brain might eagerly supply a verdict: "You shouldn’t have tried. Look where that got you. Let’s not do this again. Stick to what you know. More of the same please!"

But here’s the thing. What if failure didn’t have to mean all that? What if it could mean something entirely different? What if failure was simply a sign that you tried something new? That you followed a curiosity, took a chance, or chased an idea? Let’s explore that for a moment.

Trying Something New, Adding Color to Life

When you’re willing to try something new, you’re stepping into the unknown. That’s no small feat. It’s courageous. It’s adventurous. It’s what makes life interesting and full of color. Imagine a life where you never tried anything new because you were too afraid to fail. No new hobbies, no risks, no growth. Pretty dull, right?

Trying something new adds richness to your life. Whether it’s learning a skill, starting a project, or stepping outside your comfort zone, every attempt—successful or not—teaches you something. Maybe you learn what doesn’t work, or maybe you discover a new path you hadn’t considered. Either way, your experience deepens. And that’s the stuff that makes life meaningful.

Detach From The Outcome

One of the biggest traps we fall into is tying our self-worth to the outcome of our efforts. If it works out, we’re great! If it doesn’t, we’re terrible. But what if we could detach from the outcome? What if the value was in the doing, not the result?

When you do something for the sake of doing it—because it excites you, challenges you, or fulfills you—the outcome becomes secondary. The act itself becomes the reward.

And if things don’t turn out as expected? That’s okay. You’ve still gained something: the experience, the lesson, and the knowledge that you dared to try.

Acknowledge The Willingness to Try

Failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the process. Every time you try, you’re demonstrating courage and openness. That deserves acknowledgement, not judgment. Think about it: how many people let fear keep them from even attempting something new? By trying, you’re already ahead.

When things don’t go as planned, resist the urge to focus on the mistakes or judge yourself harshly. Instead, focus on the bravery it took to step outside your comfort zone. Embrace the lessons you learned. And soak in the wisdom you’ve gained. After all, those lessons and that wisdom are yours to keep. They’ll serve you the next time you try—and the time after that.

Failure Opens a New Path

Failure isn’t a dead-end; it’s a detour towards a new path. It’s an opportunity to recalibrate, to rethink, to grow, and continue moving forward. The most successful, creative, and innovative people in history didn’t avoid failure. They embraced it. They understood that every "failure" was simply a step toward something greater. So the next time you try something and it doesn’t go as planned, pause.

Instead of wrestling with the idea that you’re a failure, consider this: You dared. You learned. You grew.

And isn’t that what life is all about?