What I've Learned from Failure
Hello and greetings for everyone out there, Helai is back! In this piece of writing I am going to explain the process of learning one of life’s lessons. What comes to mind when you hear the word "failure"? Is it the image of a loser, or perhaps an impulsive, unbeatable person who possesses knowledge and skills far beyond that one who never fell? While failure often carries negative concepts, it is an aspect of being human. We all experience setbacks in various parts of our lives, and that’s not only acceptable; it’s a crucial part of our growth. One of the most profound lessons I learned came from a failure in my life that taught me about perfectionism and the true meaning of success.
It starts back from my childhood, I was always the one praised for my intelligence, creativity, and A+ grades. My self-esteem soared as I basked in the compliments and expectations of those around me. However, there came a moment in my life that changed my perspective entirely: my first significant interview, a make-or-break opportunity that I viewed as a destiny defining moment. After I got to Pakistan and waited for one month, I finally got my interview with the US embassy for my F-1 visa. I practiced a hundred times, with my friends, people around me were sending me love and support but still I was a bit nervous. I spent almost a week just preparing for the interview.
The night before my interview, i had this very unknown feeling, my heart was beating abnormally, but i was trying to act normal, I could hardly fall asleep. I prepared my clothes, shoes, even my hair tie because sometimes when I really need them I can't find them. I set the alarm even three alarms just in case I didn't fall asleep, I think it was more because of my nervousness.but again i woke up before my alarms. It was early morning around 4: 30 or 5. I got ready and we started driving to the embassy. It was a 2 hour drive. After passing all the way, security checks, and other processes, I got to the final stage, where the interviews were conducted.
With confidence, I whispered inspirations to myself, convinced I would be accepted. I was focused solely on success, never contemplating the possibility of failure.
When the moment of truth arrived, I stepped into the interview room filled with pride. But as the interview progressed. I soon learned that my application was placed in administrative processing. As the counselor handed me the card with the dreaded outcome, my world felt like it was collapsing. In that moment, I understood what true failure meant, and I got one of the most critical lessons of my life: life is not about being the best at all times.
What I learned from this experience was transformative. Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword; it can fuel ambition but can also lead to frustration and disappointment when expectations aren't met. It's essential to look for excellence, but it’s equally vital to acknowledge that you cannot be the best in every endeavor or at all times. Instead, the focus should be on doing your best in every situation, irrespective of the outcomes and not expecting any reward.
Additionally, I learned that Success isn’t only about being the best; it’s about the journey of self-improvement and resilience. If you put in your effort and still don’t achieve the desired result, you have gained something invaluable: experience. Failure often possesses an important lesson within it. It teaches you to trust the process, to embrace setbacks as stepping stones rather than dead ends.
In conclusion, even if you fail today, remember that it is not the end of your story. It does not define your worth or potential. As long as you keep trying, learning, and growing, your narrative continues. Failure should not deter you; it should empower you to rise again, knowing that the path to success is paved with lessons learned from the struggles you have faced. Life isn’t a race to be the best; it’s about cultivating resilience and becoming better each day. So, when faced with failure, remember: every setback is an opportunity to start over, and it’s not over until you win!
For me, it is not a failure, for me the failure is the time when you get nothing out of it, but luckily i got an important lesson.