Failure Is a Teacher
There’s a video I watched during one of my darkest times, over a decade ago, that has stuck with me ever since. It’s that iconic scene of Rocky telling his son how tough life gets—how it will kick you down, beat the hell out of you, and leave you feeling crushed. But here’s the punchline: you can’t blame anyone or anything for where you are. It’s not about how hard you get hit; it’s about how many times you can get back up, how often you can keep moving forward no matter what. That’s what defines you. Life doesn’t care about your excuses—it’s all about your resilience.
Embrace It, Learn From It, and Keep Going
I don’t know what it is about failure, but it sticks with you. It distracts you. It weighs on your shoulders. It never really gets easier, no matter how many times you face it. We’ve all heard the podcasts and read the books that say failure is just part of the process. But no one tells you how it feels when it’s your failure, your dream that didn’t work out, your plan that fell apart.
Counting My Failures: From School to Business to Life
I never used to count my failures, but recently, I’ve been reflecting on them. I failed in school. I didn’t go to college when I was supposed to, and when I finally went to art school, life forced me to drop out. I joined a company called VA SEN, eager to make something happen, but we never got the sales. I tried to make it as a full-time artist, putting my work in galleries and hoping to be discovered, but it never took off. I pivoted to graphic design, made T-shirts, and started a company with my friend Robin, but that didn’t go anywhere either.
I started a company called NOW EAT, and the idea was to create a flow state where art and money intersect—escape time, make money, and eat. I wanted to work with artists, to help them, but the fire burned out when passion turned to unappreciated work. I learned that without compensation, my value wasn’t recognized, and that was another hard lesson.
Even with clients, I’ve failed. I lost projects, like the docu-series for a hairstylist that never came together. I couldn’t capture the footage I needed, the timelines didn’t match up, and it fell apart. It’s a reminder that failure isn’t just about business; it’s personal. It cuts deep.
Failure Hurts, But It’s a Brutal Teacher
Here’s the thing: failure teaches you more than success ever will. It teaches you resilience. It forces you to look at what went wrong and get back up. Every failure toughens your nervous system, preparing you for the next, bigger challenge. It’s like getting punched in the gut repeatedly—you either learn to take the hit, or you give up.
I’ve realized that all these failures are shaping me, making me more prepared to take on bigger risks. They’re building me up for the next challenge. So, if you’re reading this, know this: failure is inevitable. It’s going to knock you down, make you question everything, but that’s how you know you’re pushing hard enough. If you haven’t failed yet, you’re playing too safe.
Embrace the Hits, Keep Moving Forward
Expect failure. It’s part of the process, and it’s going to push you in ways you never expected. But each time you fail, you get closer to something bigger, something more meaningful. You learn, you adjust, and you get stronger. This isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of something wild.
If you’re ready to take the hits and keep going, you’re on the right path. Failure is just the cost of chasing something worth having. Let’s embrace it, learn from it, and keep pushing forward.
