In my life, I have experienced many failures. However, looking back, I realize that failures are nothing but a natural force directing me toward a different path, which eventually leads me toward my destiny. Let me share some of my stories of such experiences.
During my childhood, I experienced a significant failure that caused me a lot of suffering. A naughty boy threw a stone that hit my front teeth, chipping them. I still vividly remember when the stone was right in front of my face. Unfortunately, I could not entirely fix the chipped tooth for 20 years until I found a reliable dentist. This experience made me lose confidence in my appearance. However, I also become less inclined to engage in wild activities with other kids. At that time, I was equally misbehaved as the boys. This misfortune helped me stay safe and avoid further injuries.
During my pursuit of a Ph.D. program, I experienced a second major failure. I could have performed better, and as a result, my professor stopped giving me a research assistantship. I vividly remember feeling disappointed when my professor conveyed the news to me. It was similar to the feeling of being laid off from a job. However, I decided to take action and told myself I needed to find a job. At that time, I was already four months pregnant. Despite this, I started looking for a job and eventually found one before the economic downturn!
Looking back, I realize that it was a blessing in disguise. It seemed as though nature was telling me that research was not my strong suit and that I was heading towards a dead end. Therefore, I must find a job that suits my skills and interests. Another thing to consider is that if I am unable to find a job during that time, I will also be giving birth to my first child. In the event that the economy takes a downturn, it may prove difficult to secure a good job within the next few years. This is certainly a challenge to be aware of. Now, I see this as a blessing, as I was rejected by my professor at that time.
The next failure I experienced was when my product team was merged into a newly acquired product team, and I almost lost my job. I also lost my pride because everything was taken over, and we had to report to the new team. At that time, I had to have a conversation with myself and realized that this was not the situation I needed, so I decided to find a new job. I talked to my friends, and they referred me to another team, which started a new journey for me in a different product. Looking back, it was nature pulling me out of my comfort zone and telling me that the previous effort is over. The product was not a must-have for everyone. I had tried so hard, but it was not what people wanted then. Therefore, I stopped working on the unpromising product area despite of the huge sunk costs and started focusing on the core data operation that is essential for the industry and customers. This decision made me feel more valuable, and it was another blessing.
After a few years, our product team got a new boss who did not like me, possibly because I was insistent on my ideas and did not heed his recommendations. All the changes were made to suit the new boss and his favored team member, and I lost motivation. I began looking for jobs but faced multiple rejections and discouragement along the way. However, destiny had other plans for me. One day, a major tech company reached out to me without me even seeking it, and I landed a job that I really love and enjoy. My advice to anyone facing rejection is to keep looking until you find the right fit for you, as it may be fate's way of guiding you towards something better.
I faced a series of failures before finding my true calling. Although I enjoyed my job, I struggled at the beginning. I became too self-absorbed and unaware of others' perspectives. As a result, my promotion was canceled, and I was demoted to doing basic tasks I did not enjoy. However, this setback led me to explore a different subject, which made me realize that I lacked emotional intelligence. I understood that it was essential to empathize with others' thoughts and feelings to succeed in my job. Pursuing an MBA helped me have an "aha" moment, and I finally found my talent. I now know what I am good at, which is an effortless task, even though others might find it challenging. Failure helped me understand that I needed to be in the right role and pushed me to find my area of expertise.
I fell sick due to the neglect of my diet and sleep schedule. Though I've always been strong and healthy as an athlete since childhood, this time, nature is reminding me that I cannot take my health for granted. This illness may be a failure, but it's also an opportunity to learn and heal. It is a lesson and a signal to take better care of myself.
I injured myself because I neglected safety and didn't warm up before exercising. Although the pain is unpleasant, it serves as a reminder that sports safety is crucial. Recently, I've heard about people hitting trees while skiing and becoming unconscious, causing significant suffering for their families. I've also heard about people dying due to a lack of awareness of the dangers of skiing. In contrast, my injury seems like a soft whisper: "Know your limits, check the risks, and stay safe."
Throughout our lives, we often experience setbacks and failures. While some people view these failures as devastating, I see them as messages from nature. These messages help us become more aware of ourselves and encourage us to improve, ultimately leading us toward our true destinies. We all have a destiny to fulfill, and all the emotions, experiences, and messages encountered thus far lead us toward it. I have surrendered myself to nature and listened, followed, and felt encouraged. I have no regrets. I would ask you to look at your past and upcoming failures from a different perspective, and I hope this article helps you do so.
Although we cannot control every aspect of our lives, we can always control how we respond to the challenges that come our way. We have to be resilient by taking a proactive approach and seeking new paths and solutions. Even in the face of uncertainty or disappointment, it's essential to maintain a strong sense of agency and confidence that we possess unique talents and value in certain areas. All we need to do is find it.
During my childhood, I experienced a significant failure that caused me a lot of suffering. A naughty boy threw a stone that hit my front teeth, chipping them. I still vividly remember when the stone was right in front of my face. Unfortunately, I could not entirely fix the chipped tooth for 20 years until I found a reliable dentist. This experience made me lose confidence in my appearance. However, I also become less inclined to engage in wild activities with other kids. At that time, I was equally misbehaved as the boys. This misfortune helped me stay safe and avoid further injuries.
During my pursuit of a Ph.D. program, I experienced a second major failure. I could have performed better, and as a result, my professor stopped giving me a research assistantship. I vividly remember feeling disappointed when my professor conveyed the news to me. It was similar to the feeling of being laid off from a job. However, I decided to take action and told myself I needed to find a job. At that time, I was already four months pregnant. Despite this, I started looking for a job and eventually found one before the economic downturn!
Looking back, I realize that it was a blessing in disguise. It seemed as though nature was telling me that research was not my strong suit and that I was heading towards a dead end. Therefore, I must find a job that suits my skills and interests. Another thing to consider is that if I am unable to find a job during that time, I will also be giving birth to my first child. In the event that the economy takes a downturn, it may prove difficult to secure a good job within the next few years. This is certainly a challenge to be aware of. Now, I see this as a blessing, as I was rejected by my professor at that time.
The next failure I experienced was when my product team was merged into a newly acquired product team, and I almost lost my job. I also lost my pride because everything was taken over, and we had to report to the new team. At that time, I had to have a conversation with myself and realized that this was not the situation I needed, so I decided to find a new job. I talked to my friends, and they referred me to another team, which started a new journey for me in a different product. Looking back, it was nature pulling me out of my comfort zone and telling me that the previous effort is over. The product was not a must-have for everyone. I had tried so hard, but it was not what people wanted then. Therefore, I stopped working on the unpromising product area despite of the huge sunk costs and started focusing on the core data operation that is essential for the industry and customers. This decision made me feel more valuable, and it was another blessing.
After a few years, our product team got a new boss who did not like me, possibly because I was insistent on my ideas and did not heed his recommendations. All the changes were made to suit the new boss and his favored team member, and I lost motivation. I began looking for jobs but faced multiple rejections and discouragement along the way. However, destiny had other plans for me. One day, a major tech company reached out to me without me even seeking it, and I landed a job that I really love and enjoy. My advice to anyone facing rejection is to keep looking until you find the right fit for you, as it may be fate's way of guiding you towards something better.
I faced a series of failures before finding my true calling. Although I enjoyed my job, I struggled at the beginning. I became too self-absorbed and unaware of others' perspectives. As a result, my promotion was canceled, and I was demoted to doing basic tasks I did not enjoy. However, this setback led me to explore a different subject, which made me realize that I lacked emotional intelligence. I understood that it was essential to empathize with others' thoughts and feelings to succeed in my job. Pursuing an MBA helped me have an "aha" moment, and I finally found my talent. I now know what I am good at, which is an effortless task, even though others might find it challenging. Failure helped me understand that I needed to be in the right role and pushed me to find my area of expertise.
I fell sick due to the neglect of my diet and sleep schedule. Though I've always been strong and healthy as an athlete since childhood, this time, nature is reminding me that I cannot take my health for granted. This illness may be a failure, but it's also an opportunity to learn and heal. It is a lesson and a signal to take better care of myself.
I injured myself because I neglected safety and didn't warm up before exercising. Although the pain is unpleasant, it serves as a reminder that sports safety is crucial. Recently, I've heard about people hitting trees while skiing and becoming unconscious, causing significant suffering for their families. I've also heard about people dying due to a lack of awareness of the dangers of skiing. In contrast, my injury seems like a soft whisper: "Know your limits, check the risks, and stay safe."
Throughout our lives, we often experience setbacks and failures. While some people view these failures as devastating, I see them as messages from nature. These messages help us become more aware of ourselves and encourage us to improve, ultimately leading us toward our true destinies. We all have a destiny to fulfill, and all the emotions, experiences, and messages encountered thus far lead us toward it. I have surrendered myself to nature and listened, followed, and felt encouraged. I have no regrets. I would ask you to look at your past and upcoming failures from a different perspective, and I hope this article helps you do so.
Although we cannot control every aspect of our lives, we can always control how we respond to the challenges that come our way. We have to be resilient by taking a proactive approach and seeking new paths and solutions. Even in the face of uncertainty or disappointment, it's essential to maintain a strong sense of agency and confidence that we possess unique talents and value in certain areas. All we need to do is find it.
Editors Notes (3/30/2024): This topic piqued our interest, and we discussed it in another chat. We also found this HBR article, "Strategies for Learning from Failure," worth reading from an organizational management perspective.
