You are a failure!!!
There’s no point in trying.
You can’t do it, you’ve already failed.
Do these damning words sound familiar? Failure is powerful, but it is neither good nor bad. It is an ultimatum, give up or try again. The team or individual’s mindset determines what happens next and the potential outcomes after a failure.
Every success story has a backstory and a series of failures. In 2019, the whole world was glued to their TV screens as Eliud Kipchoge made history by becoming the only man to run a full marathon under two hours in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge. This feat was considered humanly impossible. However, with a great team of scientists, nutritionists, star athlete pace setters, techies, and custom Nike shoes, he did the impossible.
That phenomenal success erased all memory of his 2017 failure in Monza Italy, his first attempt dubbed Breaking 2. Despite painstaking scientific research, an amazing crew, precision preparation, near-perfect conditions, and millions of dollars in investments from Nike, Kipchoge had failed to break the two-hour marathon barrier, two years earlier.
It was a valiant attempt but still a spectacular failure given the scale of the project. He had a choice. Quit trying or try and be the first person to run a whole marathon in under two hours. Two years later, armed with experience, a new team, and a new strategy he tried a second time. “No human is limited.” He told the world. His past failure had become fuel for his success. The world took a collective breath as he crossed the finish line with the clock reading 1:59:40. He had done it.
1. Failure is a stop. It is not the end, It is a transition on the road to success. A time to cry, rest, evaluate, consider other options and make some changes. Kipchoge did not lose his dream even after a failed first attempt. He took a two-year break, trained hard, made adjustments and came up with a better strategy. In hindsight, the failure fuelled the necessary changes for the new strategy
2. Failure is a teacher. Failure is often a painful lesson. But it also teaches grit and resilience. All the Breaking 2 preparations and investments in 2017 did not produce the desired results. That was a huge dumper. However, the learnings and experience technically and scientifically informed the changes and extra work needed to create a more perfect marathon. The 2019 Ineos 159 challenge became a resounding success. One for the ages.
3. Failure is a step. When you attempt something, it is a step in the direction of success. The first step is not always successful, but it is a step of faith. Kipchoge’s first try became data, evidence that the goal was within reach with a little more effort. The next step was epic.
Have you failed at something? It’s okay to stop for evaluation, consolidate your learnings, check out other options and come up with a new strategy. Then take the next step. Give it another try. Fail better, fail forward. Always come back better. Success is giving it your best.
You are not a failure!!!
There’s a point in trying.
You can do it even if you failed before. Let your failure fuel your motivation to succeed.
