Failure is not just a word; it's an experience. Failure is one of those things we as humans never want to encounter, but still, it's inevitable. It always leaves a mark, either one of pain, depression, anxiety, frustration, or fear. We as humans could even go as far as questioning our abilities. Questions like, Am I even enough? Can I do this? I failed last time. How sure am I that I won't fail this time? These questions begin to pop up, and it could even take a toll on our mental health.

But what happens when one experiences failure? When it comes in its full force, leaving no space or at least a breath? What do you do?

Most times, the incidents and experiences we label as failures aren’t really failures. It could be part of a training. Let's picture this. A baby who is learning to walk made his first attempt and fell. That baby didn't fail his class on learning how to walk. No! It's part of his training, and that’s how he gains mastery. Once this child gains mastery, there’s no way he’ll fall again.

You can't say you’ve failed when you weren’t taught the skill or taken through a class. For the word failure to be established, that means there's training. That person has been schooled, but if not, IT ISN’T FAILURE.

Failure is simply the inability to achieve a set goal. It is a breakdown or a decline in proper functioning, either in your workplace, health, business, academics, sports, or competition. Whatever it is. If there’s an inability to function, then it is Failure. But then, how do you recover? How do you stand on your feet? How do you turn that failure, that setback, into strength? How can you channel that failure into success and become all that you want to be?

It's one thing to fail, and it's another to become a failure; still, it's never too late to become all you’ve ever dreamed of being. Everyone fails at certain points in their life, and that’s okay. You know what’s not okay? Staying a failure! No one wants to be a failure, but still, we can find them in our society, clothed in garments but filled with regrets. What happened? They weren’t able to rise. It could either be that they didn’t know how or they didn’t have the courage because they would surely need a different momentum, different from when they started.

There’s a popular proverb that says, “When the purpose of a thing isn’t known, then abuse is inevitable,” and it can also be applied to this. If you don’t have a specific purpose to your existence, then you can’t value your daily activities. The success of men is tied to their daily activities. To their everyday habit. When you have a purpose, you begin to live seriously and full of intentionality because you have a sense of direction. Not only for your life, but it should be extended to every one of your endeavors. Have a reason for doing things. Why are you applying for a job? Why are you entering college? Why do you want to apply for a cuisine competition? Why do you want to graduate with First-class honors? Have a purpose; only then can you put in the required work.

Above everything else, your health matters the most. There’s a saying that goes: “There’s hope for the living”. You can’t do anything more or less to achieve your dreams when you're dead. This could be an overstatement, but the truth remains that if you’re not healthy, then you can't achieve your desired success. Picture this- You are about to write your final exam, but you suddenly fall ill. You are enveloped with weakness such that you can’t move your body an inch. Do you think you’ll still be able to write that exam? No, you won’t!

Your ill health would interfere with your success, which could probably lead to failure again. My tips for staying healthy are in the little intentional exercises I engage in every day, like engaging in daily stretches and exercise, eating a well-balanced and adequate diet, fleeing from Junks and engaging in mental exercises like journaling, meditation, and gratitude.

Like I said earlier, incidents and experiences can only be labeled as failure if one isn’t properly schooled or taken through training. I don’t totally mean sitting in a classroom or going to the university. It's way more than that.

The sense of education I’m talking about can only be successful if applied by a willing student. Are you open to corrections even when coated with a little insult? Learn to read books. Read books that apply to each of your endeavors. It could be politically, academically, financially, marital, spiritually, and so on. Whatever field you’re embarking on, there’s a book for it. Educate yourself and accept corrections. Seek out mentors, those you admire and want to be like. Watch their videos, read their books, and listen to their podcasts. It will motivate you better. Learn continuously because the day you stop learning, you start dying!

When one decides to rise, he doesn’t do so with just words; he does so with a plan in mind. He makes a decision. What habits are you willing to change to become better and stronger? Can you compromise a little bit of leisure for your success? What can you do differently from yesterday? It's all in your hands. If you suffer now, you’ll enjoy later. Create a To-do list every day and try to keep it minimal. If your list is just 4 or 5, then there’s a greater chance of achieving more. The key is just to be intentional and consistent. Success isn’t free; it's earned.

There are spaces where you work or live that don’t seem to motivate you at all. Most times, your environment can lessen or reduce your efficiency. Choose your environment and don’t let it choose you. When I talk about environment, I don't just mean your surroundings, but also your atmosphere and friends. These are all part of your environment, and if these three factors aren’t favorable, then it could harm you unknowingly. You are a reflection of the people around you. If your environment is toxic, that is, your friends and even the songs you listen to and the movies you watch, then you will only remain stuck and stagnant. Create a positive environment that reflects your purpose, goals, and aspirations.

When you fall, get back up. That’s not the end of the world. The decisions you make from thenceforth will determine if you’re truly a failure. Stand up and do the next right thing. Evaluate your previous actions every day. From every mistake you make, you learn, and once you do, take note of these lessons. You can only be labeled a failure if there wasn’t a change after the teachings, trainings, lessons, indulgence, and reluctance. The possibility of course in this scenario is very slim. Don’t stay on the ground. Get up and start again!