Lessons from Failure and Triumph

By C. Schall Gontijo

Michael Jordan, considered by many the greatest basketball player of all time, was devastated when he was cut from his high school varsity basketball team during sophomore year. Good thing failure only inspired him to work harder. New beginnings offer us the chance to grow, learn, and evolve as individuals. It opens up the opportunity of entering a process of becoming more aware of yourself, and possibly changing up your actions, behaviours, attitudes, values, and habits with the goal of becoming a better person. Therefore, it becomes clear that personal growth is profoundly shaped by both failure and triumph, and understanding this dynamic can lead to more meaningful and sustainable progress.  


Failures are essential in the path to achieving triumph. They will teach you important lessons, provide you with life experience and build creativity and resilience. They show us clearly what went wrong so we can pave our way to success without repeating the same mistake. Going through it will test determination, courage and mindset, indicating your genuine willingness to try something new. For example J.K Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, one of the largest movie and book franchises on Earth, had to persevere through her script being rejected by 12 major publications, before becoming a phenomenon. This story shows how embracing and accepting failure can lead to a deeper understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses, and efficiently prepare individuals for future challenges.  


Obviously, once someone experiences failure, the feelings that come with it are not exactly great. They are followed by a lot of frustration, anger, sadness, and stress. It is easy to mistake the fact that some aspect of your life failed, be it a project, a relationship or  a business, with you being a failure. However, it is of major importance to acknowledge the fact that failure can turn into success solely because of the option to try again repeatedly. It is pivotal that once you have identified your mistakes, you start to set new goals, seek support if necessary, and adopt a growth mindset. And remember, setbacks can often increase determination and focus, especially when you are close to attaining your ambition. So, always keep your head up high, using a lot of resilience and a positive mindset when navigating new beginnings. Being proactive can quickly transform setbacks into incredible opportunities.  


It is important to remember that the triumphs will always pay off and also carry its unique lessons: confidence, perseverance, and the importance of planning and sticking to your goals. Starting over can be a very difficult process, since people are wired to seek comfort and to fear the unknown. However, if you keep calm and reflect on what worked out and what can improve and start working towards yourself and your goals daily, anything can be achieved. New beginnings are designed to change your perspective and broaden your horizons on the concept of life, and if you let go of the past and be patient about your future, focusing on the present, strength and flexibility will be your reward. Finally, if you could take one lesson from this article, remember this: always embrace new opportunities even if they scare you at first.