Before we get started:

Quote of the Day

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Changing your Perspective: “Failure”

In 2015, when I started, I set an ambitious goal: work out 7 days a week, 3 hours each day, and eat only chicken breast and vegetables (occasionally rice if I was feeling ✨lucky✨). In the first two weeks, I couldn’t meet these wild expectations. I worked out maybe 4 times, totaling around 5 hours, and cheated on my "diet" almost every day.

I felt like a failure - two weeks in, and I already couldn't keep up with my new routine.

Eventually, I learned that:

1. I was expecting too much of myself, especially this early on.

2. This routine was completely unsustainable, and I needed to reevaluate.

3. My body was really hurting, and I needed to slow down.

So I stopped beating myself up about being a "failure," reassessed, and tried again.

Funny enough, I would proceed to "fail" 3-5 more times before finally getting it right.

We've all experienced some sort of “failure”—job rejection, a personal goal, a relationship, etc. These "failures" can be demoralizing, causing us to doubt ourselves and our abilities. I put quotes around "failure" because I disagree with the common definition:

In my story, I used to follow this harsh definition. Every setback was a "failure," which made me doubt myself and question my journey. This often led me to give up. However, I finally got past this once I changed my perspective on "failure." I realized that “failure” is an integral part of the journey toward any goal.

I view every meaningful journey as a long, dark tunnel:

• All you have is a dim candle that shows you where you are and the area around you.

• With every step forward, the area behind you becomes clear and lit.

• You can see the light at the end of the tunnel (your goal), but it's unclear how exactly you'll get there.

• With every step towards the light, the candle reveals a new area.

• You may take steps in the wrong direction and realize it, so you take a step back and try a different path forward.

In my new definition, you only truly "fail" when you turn around and decide to stop moving towards the light. I now view “failure” as attempts and lessons. Eight years ago, I didn't "fail" 3-5 more times; I attempted 3-5 times and learned 3-5 new lessons. You need to change your perspective on what "failure" means, and you do so by:

Embracing the Learning Experience

With every step forward in the tunnel, even if it’s the wrong one and you need to turn around, you've at least learned what that part of the tunnel offers and why it’s the wrong path. You unlock and learn more as you try and try again. Treat every single “failure” as a learning opportunity and keep pushing towards the light at the end of the tunnel. As long as you don’t turn around and walk back, you’re making progress and getting a step closer to success.

Having Gratitude and Celebrating Small Wins

On long journeys, we tend to get lost in what we can see around us, or whatever the dim light from the candle shows us. When I was on my journey, I was so focused on “losing 100 lbs” that I forgot it would happen one pound at a time. I rarely celebrated small wins, which only discouraged me more. It was life-changing the day I finally took a deep breath, turned around, and took a look at how far I’d come. Was I at the 100 yet? No, but even being 1, 5, 10 lbs down was progress. Don’t forget to turn around every once in a while, look back at the rest of the tunnel, and see how much you’ve learned, seen, experienced, and progressed. Be grateful you even have the opportunity to embark on this adventure—one that many others may not be in a place to take on.

Accepting Imperfection

You are not perfect. I am not perfect. Our journeys are not perfect. And one thing a lot of people overlook: no one cares or expects us to be perfect. Every single successful person I have met, heard of, read about, or seen has been imperfect. Perfection is not the goal, and it never has been. Embrace your imperfections as attempts for learning and development, and remember that it's okay to stumble along the way. What matters most is your determination to keep moving forward towards that light, regardless of setbacks or perceived “failures”.

Thank you for joining me on today's newsletter. I hope you found value from it and learned something that can help propel you forward on your own journey.