Life Gives You The Test First.

It’s funny when you think about it.

School is meant to prepare us for the real world.

But unlike school where you’re given the lessons first and the test later…

Life gives us the test first and the lessons later.

In every failure, setback, and fuck up, there is knowledge acquired to carry into the future.

We don’t become our best selves unless we go through the mud.

Here are 10 ways you can embrace failure in order to succeed:

1. Acknowledge and Accept

Recognize and accept that failure is a natural part of life.

You cannot avoid it no matter how hard you try.

It does not define you, but how you respond to it does.

Allow yourself to feel the emotions associated with failure, whether it's disappointment, frustration, or sadness.

2. Reflect on the Experience

Take time to reflect on the situation.

What went wrong?

What factors contributed to the failure?

Reflecting on the experience can provide valuable insights into your actions, decisions, and circumstances.

3. Learn from Mistakes

Treat failure as a learning opportunity.

Analyze the mistakes you made and consider them as lessons that can guide your future actions.

Identify what you can do differently next time to increase the likelihood of a more desirable outcome.

4. Adjust The Strategies

Use the lessons learned to adjust your strategies.

Sometimes failure can indicate that your approach needs refinement.

Be flexible and willing to adapt your plans based on the insights gained from the experience.

I believe the goal should always remain the same.

But how you get there should be malleable.

Think of it like Google Maps directing you to a location.

If there’s a road closure, you wouldn’t give up on getting to that location.

You’d simply find another route.

5. Maintain Perspective

Put the failure into perspective.

Remember that everyone encounters setbacks, and it's a normal part of the journey toward success.

Don't let one failure overshadow your overall progress or potential.

I used to talk to myself like shit whenever I failed.

“I’m not good enough”

“You’re stupid”

But self-labelling as a “failure” will have detrimental consequences.

6. Take Action

After reflecting and learning, take positive actions.

Whether it's trying again with a new approach or applying the lessons learned to a different situation, taking proactive steps helps you regain a sense of control and momentum.

7. Seek Support

Surround yourself with a supportive network that can offer encouragement, advice, and perspective.

Talking about your experiences can be cathartic and help you gain different viewpoints.

8. Practice Self-Compassion

As I touched on in Number 5, it’s vital to be kind to yourself.

Avoid self-blame and negative self-talk.

Understand that everyone makes mistakes, and failure does not diminish your worth.

There’s nothing wrong with feelings of disappointment and wanting more from yourself.

But the minute you belittle yourself, you’ve already failed in future endeavors.

9. Set Realistic Expectations

Look, I’m not a fan of the word “realistic”.

If people tell you to be realistic about your goals, don’t listen.

That said, you should review your expectations and ensure they are within reach.

Wanting to make the NBA with no basketball experience is unrealistic.

So use common sense.

Sometimes failure occurs when expectations are too high or when external factors are beyond your control.

10. Focus on the Future

Redirect your energy toward the future.

Dwelling on past failures can hinder progress.

Use the experience as a stepping stone toward future success.

Set new goals, make a plan, and move forward with renewed determination.

Failure is not the end but a part of the journey.

It’s important to remind yourself that you failed.

But that doesn’t make you a failure.

To not try again is to be a failure.

Failing is an opportunity for growth, learning, and resilience.

Embrace the challenges, and with the right mindset, you can turn setbacks into comebacks.

Much love,

Mason - Founder of New Mentalities