Hey there. We’re talking about failure today, and before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight—unless you have stopped moving forward completely, you haven’t failed.
Sure, things may not have gone the way you planned. Maybe a goal didn’t work out in the time frame you wanted, or you faced an obstacle that knocked you off course. That does not mean you’ve failed. It means you’re learning.
Reframing Failure as a Learning Process
I can think of so many things in my life that I once viewed as failures. At the time, they felt like roadblocks. But looking back, I see they were actually lessons that shaped who I am today.
The truth is, most people aren’t even paying attention to your “failures” the way you think they are. They’re too wrapped up in their own lives. And if someone is making you feel like a failure, that says more about them than it does about you. If you can, limit your time around those people and surround yourself with those who encourage growth instead of reinforcing negativity.
A Personal Example: Building a Business
When I first started Your Level Fitness in 2014, I wanted it to be my full-time job. By 2015, I left my day job to focus on making it work. But within six weeks, I realized it wasn’t financially sustainable, and I had to start looking for another job.
At first, I saw that as a failure. But looking back, I see how that experience taught me patience, self-awareness, and adaptability. It showed me that success isn’t an either/or situation. It’s an and. I could work a full-time job and build my business at the same time.
Since then, I’ve continued to develop Your Level Fitness, shifting to online coaching and refining my approach. What once felt like a setback turned out to be one of the best learning experiences of my life.
You Haven’t Failed—You’re Still Moving Forward
The biggest lesson here? As long as you keep going, you haven’t failed. You’re simply working through a process, learning what works, adjusting when needed, and growing along the way.
I want to hear from you—what’s something you once thought was a failure but now see differently? Message me on social media or email me. And if you want a supportive community to help shift your mindset, join The YLF Experience.