You’re Not A Failure, Yet.
At least that’s what I tell myself when the self-doubt starts to kick in.
It’s easy to jump to conclusions throughout everyday life.
- Morning starts bad? It’s just not your day.
- New project isn’t going as expected? You should quit.
- You don’t have a house, a retirement fund, and a planned trip to Greece by the age of 30? You’re a failure.
With comparisons being so easy due to social media, it’s tempting to conclude you’re a failure. At least in the eyes of your peers or those you look up to.
My reason for writing this is to argue the opposite.
As long as you’re aware you aren’t where you aspire to be, then you’re not a failure. However, the second you give in to your thoughts of being a failure — then you become one.
Consider these examples:
- Colonel Sanders founded KFC at 65
- Vera Wang started her fashion design career at 40
- Reed Hastings co-founded Netflix at 37
Great things take time.
Yeah, you see social media influencers and young athletes with millions on the timeline. These are called outliers. Social media algorithms love outliers. They want to show you the big and boastful. It’s good for business.
Use it as motivation but don’t give in to it. Be methodical with your actions and be proud of your ambition.
If you do those two things, I’m confident you won’t be a failure in whatever venture you decide to embark on.
Remember, it’s okay to struggle or feel lost sometimes. What matters is that you keep moving forward, always working towards your goals, even if the path isn’t always clear.
Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you. Set realistic goals and celebrate small wins along the way. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plans as you learn and grow.
Failure isn’t a permanent state unless you choose to make it one. Keep learning, keep trying, and keep believing in your potential. That’s the real key to not being a failure, yet or ever.
