For me, failure isn’t about not succeeding. It’s not about the plans that didn’t pan out, the unexpected detours, or even the outright setbacks. It’s about not trying at all.
When I left corporate life, many people voiced their concerns. What about your pension? What if it doesn’t work out? Those were valid questions, but deep down, I knew the real failure wasn’t in the risk itself. The true failure would have been never taking the leap, never pursuing a path that felt more aligned with who I am. I realised that the cost of not trying, of living with the lingering “what ifs” was much higher than any temporary setback I might face.
As Lewis Carroll once said, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
Years later, I look back not with regret, but with gratitude. I’m grateful I took the decision to make a big change and move away from the familiar life. I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way, the people I’ve met, and the experiences shared.
I’m also grateful for the realisation that failure isn’t a singular definition we all share, it’s personal.
Some may define it by unmet goals, external judgments, following a path dictated by others or accepting decisions which just aren’t right for them . For me, it’s about the opportunity cost of inaction, of ignoring the quiet voice within that says, just try.
We each define failure in our own way. And there’s value in examining what it means for you.
What does failure mean to you?
Photo by Max MX on Unsplash
