Mike Valley
Former NHL coach and pro athlete | About to start the journey of a lifetime.
May 28, 2024
Hey Friends,
Here’s a thought that’s close to my heart: Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s the first step of it.
As an athlete and an entrepreneur, I’ve failed more times than I can count. I’ve let in bad goals, lost games, got cut from teams, and was often counted out. But here’s the thing – every failure has been a stepping stone on my journey to success.
Let’s break it down.
Failure is often seen as something to avoid at all costs. We’re taught to fear it, to shy away from it, to see it as a sign that we’re not good enough. But the truth is, failure is essential. It’s part of the process. It’s the first step towards success.
When I was a goalie, I failed repeatedly. I faced setbacks that seemed insurmountable. But I never gave up. Somehow, I still ended up with an NCAA scholarship, an NHL contract, and later, I coached in the NHL. I kept trying. And every time I failed, I learned something valuable. I got better. I grew stronger.
The same goes for my journey as an entrepreneur. I’ve swung the bat so many times. I’ve launched products that flopped, made investments that didn’t pay off, and faced challenges that seemed impossible to overcome. But I love the game, so I just keep swinging.
Sometimes I hit a single. Sometimes I even manage to hit a double or a triple. Maybe one day I’ll hit a home run. But here’s the thing – all I can control is that I keep learning, keep getting better, and most of all, keep trying.
- Failure Teaches Resilience: Every time you fail, you have a choice. You can give up, or you can get back up and try again. Failure teaches you resilience. It shows you that you can survive setbacks and come out stronger on the other side.
- Failure Provides Feedback: Failure is not the end; it’s feedback. It tells you what didn’t work, what needs to be adjusted, and where you can improve. It’s a critical part of the learning process. Without failure, there’s no growth.
- Failure Builds Character: Success is great, but it’s the failures that build character. They test your determination, your grit, and your commitment to your goals. They force you to dig deep and find the strength to keep going.
- Failure Leads to Success: Many of the world’s most successful people have failed countless times. They didn’t let those failures define them. Instead, they used them as stepping stones to achieve greatness. Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s the foundation of it.
Think about Michael Jordan, who famously said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Jordan didn’t shy away from failure. He embraced it. He learned from it. And he became one of the greatest athletes of all time.
So, how do you embrace failure as a step towards success?
- Change Your Mindset: See failure as a necessary part of the journey. Understand that it’s not a setback, but a setup for future success. Embrace it as a learning opportunity.
- Keep Swinging: Don’t let failure stop you. Keep trying. Keep pushing forward. The more you swing, the more chances you have to hit a home run.
- Learn and Adapt: Use failure as feedback. Learn from your mistakes. Adjust your approach. Keep improving. Each failure brings you one step closer to success.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Not every swing will be a home run, and that’s okay. Celebrate the singles, the doubles, and the triples. Recognize the progress you’re making along the way.
Remember, failure is not the opposite of success; it’s the first step of it. Every time you fail, you’re one step closer to succeeding. So, keep swinging. Keep learning. Keep getting better. And most of all, keep trying.
Let’s go!!!
MV
