Failure is Common, but Winning Can Be, Too. How Come?

There are moments when everything seems perfect. Business is booming, bank accounts are smiling, and life feels like a Hollywood movie where the protagonist always gets a happy ending. Then suddenly, everything falls apart. The business collapses. Savings are drained. Life starts to resemble a cheap reality show rather than a blockbuster that ends on the red carpet.

Someone once said, the hardest phase for a businessperson isn’t when starting out, but when already at the top, only to fall. And it’s not a graceful fall, like spilling red wine at a party, but more like plunging into a bottomless pit. When the once-large income disappears overnight, and days are filled with cheap coffee that tastes more like tears. Bitter, but reluctantly consumed. After all, coffee never lies, does it?

So, what’s next? Sit still and brood over fate? No. Life isn’t meant to be a spectator sport in your own drama.

Think Like a Winner, Even When You’re Down

Ever heard the story of a boxer who’s battered in the ring? His face is swollen, breath ragged, but when asked, he says, “I haven’t lost, I’m just resting.” That’s the mindset of a winner. No matter how hard life punches, there’s the belief that this is just part of the journey.

In America, they call it a “comeback story.” People there love tales of those who rise from the ashes. Take Robert Stiller, the founder of Green Mountain Coffee. After massive success, he lost everything due to a bad investment. But Stiller didn’t give up. He started over, learned from his failures, and rebuilt his business.

Larry King is another perfect example. At the height of his success as a renowned broadcaster, he went bankrupt due to mounting debts. Yet, with unwavering determination, he restarted his career, rebuilding his reputation to become a global media icon.

Then there’s George Foreman. The former world boxing champion lost his wealth after retirement, leading to bankruptcy. But he returned to the ring in his 40s, reclaimed the title, and used his fame to launch the “George Foreman Grill” business, which helped restore his fortune.

James Altucher faced a similar story. After becoming a millionaire, he lost everything due to poor business decisions. Not only did he lose his money, but also his confidence. Yet, Altucher rose again by writing, starting new ventures, and sharing his experiences as lessons for the world.

Failure is Common, Winning is Extraordinary

Sometimes life needs small examples to remind us that failure isn’t the end of the world. The Japanese philosophy of “kintsugi” is one of the best examples. This art of repairing broken ceramics with gold teaches us that something broken doesn’t need to be discarded but can be repaired and made more beautiful. Just like life; failures and setbacks are not the end but part of a story that strengthens.

The lesson? No matter the age, background, or failure, there’s always a way out as long as you keep moving. Staying still only prolongs the suffering. Rising and taking action, no matter how small, is the way to start anew.

One thing often overlooked: even great success requires preparation for failure. Successful people understand that the wheel of fortune always turns. When they’re on top, they still set aside time to learn, save, and devise backup strategies. Because life isn’t just about winning, but how to endure after losing.

According to research, more than 80% of people who experience major business failures try again within three years, and almost half succeed in building new, more successful ventures. This data shows that perseverance is the main fuel for overcoming setbacks.

Don’t Forget to Entertain Yourself

Imagine this: a man loses his Wall Street job. A month later, he opens a small coffee and bagel shop on the street corner. When asked what keeps him going, he says, “When everything fell apart, coffee and bagels were the only things that still made sense.” Humor like this helps maintain sanity.

Finding humor in chaos is a sign that the brain is still working. You don’t need to laugh out loud; a small smile when realizing that life always has funny ways of testing patience is enough. Like when a car tire goes flat in the rain, only to realize the umbrella was left at home.

An Ending That Can Always Be a Beginning

This article might also be relevant to other perspectives that help understand the process of bouncing back from adversity or rebuilding life with a lighter approach:

• No One Can Do It as Well as Me: The Perfectionist’s Drama: This article discusses how perfectionism can be a major obstacle and how taking a more relaxed and realistic approach can be a smart step.
• Feel vs Features: The Battle of Sales Excellence: This article highlights the importance of focusing on feelings and experiences rather than technical details, a lesson relevant to both life and business.

Similarly, the song “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba and the film “Soul” (2020) perfectly capture the spirit of this article. The song’s refrain, “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” feels like the soundtrack of resilience, while “Soul” delivers a deep message that enjoying life’s process is a crucial part of the journey, even in tough times.

Failure might make steps feel heavy, but it never truly halts the journey. Winning is extraordinary, but losing is part of the process to achieve it. There’s a lesson in every fall, and there’s an opportunity in every failure.

When everything feels dark, remember that the light at the end of the tunnel often appears after walking far enough. And who knows, there’s not just light but also a cup of coffee and a bagel waiting there. After all, life is always easier with a bit of humor and a lot of courage.