Embracing Failure: What I Think to Keep Learning

Hey folks! 👋

Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind: learning through failure and how I’ve changed the way I think when things don’t go as planned. We’ve all been there, right? You hit a roadblock, things don’t work out, and the first instinct might be to give up. But what if I told you that the way you talk to yourself during these moments can make all the difference?

So let’s talk about what goes through my mind when I face failure and the mindset shifts that help me keep going. Whether you're learning a new technology, diving into a personal project, or just facing a challenging task — the way you approach setbacks can fuel your progress.

Here are some thoughts that have helped me turn failure into a learning process rather than a dead end.

1. When I Failed, I Learned

It’s so easy to view failure as the end of the road. But in reality, failure is just feedback. Every time I’ve failed at something, whether it’s a coding challenge, a new framework, or a personal goal, I’ve learned something valuable.

Instead of thinking:

"I failed, I’m just not good at this."

I now think:

"I failed, but what did I learn from this?"

Every failure comes with lessons. Maybe I learned a new way not to approach a problem. Maybe I discovered a gap in my knowledge that I need to fill. Either way, the key is to use the failure as a stepping stone to improve for next time.

2. Why It Won’t Work for Me → How Can I Make This Work for Me?

Sometimes, I’ve caught myself thinking, “This won’t work for me. This method isn’t for me. I’m not cut out for this.” But then I realized this mindset was holding me back. Instead of focusing on why something won’t work, I started asking:

“How can I make this work for me?”

This shift in perspective changed everything. It’s no longer about accepting defeat before I’ve even tried; it’s about figuring out what I need to do differently to make progress. Maybe I need to approach the problem from a different angle, or maybe I just need more practice. Either way, it’s about taking ownership of the challenge and finding solutions that work for me.

3. I Give Up → I’ll Try a Different Way

We all have those moments where we feel like throwing in the towel. It’s tempting to say, “I give up.” But I’ve learned that giving up on one method doesn’t mean giving up on the goal. Instead of quitting altogether, I ask myself:

"Can I try this a different way?"

There’s always more than one path to success. Maybe the approach I’m taking isn’t working, but that doesn’t mean the goal is impossible. When I hit a wall, I remind myself that there’s always another way, another strategy, another tool I haven’t explored yet.

4. I Can’t Do It → I’m Still Learning and I’ll Keep Trying

The “I can’t do it” mindset is one of the biggest traps. It’s easy to say, “I just can’t do this,” and move on. But I’ve realized that this thinking underestimates one crucial truth: I’m still learning.

Instead of thinking “I can’t do it,” I now remind myself:

"I’m still learning, and I’ll keep trying."

Just because I can’t do something today doesn’t mean I won’t be able to do it tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Learning is a journey, and every little bit of effort adds up. I remind myself that growth happens in small steps, and each attempt is a step forward, even if I can’t see the progress right away.

Wrapping Up: What Keeps Me Going

So, why share all of this? Because I know I’m not alone in feeling these frustrations. We all hit roadblocks, we all doubt ourselves, and we all fail at some point. But what I’ve found is that our mindset during these moments is what determines whether we keep moving forward or stop altogether.

You don't care about this — Never mind, I just do what I want, and it would be nice to come back and read it again in a year, two years, three years, or more.

Next time you’re stuck, try shifting your mindset:

• When you fail, think about what you’ve learned.
• When something doesn’t seem to work, ask yourself how you can make it work for you.
• When you feel like giving up, try a different approach.
• When you think you can’t do it, remind yourself that you’re still learning.

Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. The key is to keep going, keep learning, and keep trying — because that’s where the real progress happens.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear about your own experiences with failure and learning — let’s keep the conversation going in the comments. 😊 Happy learning! 🎓🚀