Failure Doesn’t Always Mean Loss
I had set myself a goal to publish an article every day for 30 days, and failed just before the finish line.
I had written the first piece on the 1st of November, and after the 22nd of November, I skipped a day. Then I wrote two articles in four days, and skipped a few days again.
My ‘reason’ was moving back to my home country, quitting studies, and focusing on trying to find a job. That didn’t take so much time that it would actually warrant me to stop writing, and yet I used the excuses I had and broke my consistency.
No matter how many ‘reasons’ (which are actually excuses) I had for taking a small break and posting less often, I still failed my original goal.
Despite failure to achieve my goal, I still gained. I learned how to write somewhat consistently, I found my style, and my favorite topics.
Now I will learn how to get back into my rhythm after disrupting it. Even though I failed to accomplish the goal I set to myself, I went far enough, and learned so much, that I wouldn’t consider it a loss.
While applying this mindset, it’s very important to recognize loss. There can be a success with failures, but loss is always riddled with failures.
So, how do you differ loss from success? How to understand when failure means loss, and when it doesn’t?
I have devised a set of questions you can ask yourself. I will answer them myself so it can be seen how they’re actually applicable. In answering those questions you will find an answer to the question.
How do you differ loss from success?
- Most importantly, did you learn anything?
- I know I have. At first I was writing about literature and writing, then it kind of dove over to philosophy and thoughts about life which I found very enjoyable to write about. I found my niche. And I got to practice my writing.
- Trust your gut, what’s it saying? Do you feel at least somewhat accomplished?
- Even though I failed, I actually do feel pretty good about what I’m doing with this blog. Very unusual for me. I rarely feel content with my own work, but I found something I genuinely like doing, and I like seeing the streak of articles on my page.
- Ask the people around you. How would they rate your effort?
- I received some constructive criticism (which is good, I’m not complaining), but generally I received surprisingly positive feedback, and even the pieces which I felt are some of my worst, actually received good feedback.
Now for your answers. If the answer to either of the first questions is a yes in any way shape or form, you might’ve failed in achieving the goal you set, but it wasn’t a total loss.
As for the third question, it’s very much related to the second. Listen to the people around you, and see if your gut feeling was proved right or wrong. But do trust your intuition, it can often yield surprisingly accurate results.
How to understand when failure means loss, and when it doesn’t?
- Did your failure completely block out any more attempts at achieving said goal?
- No.
If your answer is also a ‘no’ in any form, then continue.
Set yourself another goal, and succeed in achieving it. I believe most people will find themselves answering ‘no’, rarely do people completely block themselves from further attempts.
It’s really that simple, you never truly lost if you can try again and again. Share your experience, and I bet everyone will agree that even if it’s a failure, it’s not a loss.
