Chapter 1: The Meaning of Failure

What is the significance of our struggles? Many individuals reach a stage in their lives where they cease to make an effort, having realized that their attempts no longer yield meaningful results.

You initiate actions, endeavor to succeed, yet often find yourself repeating past errors—or sometimes, variations of those errors—leading to yet another failure. You recuperate, attempt once more, and ultimately face a similar setback. So, what is the real purpose behind these repeated failures? Perhaps they represent progressive failures.

The inquiry posed in the introduction leads us to a complex answer. Honestly, I don’t possess a clever solution. There’s just a persistent voice—whether in my mind, heart, or a stubborn ego—that refuses to surrender. It compels me to contemplate, rethink, and re-imagine, pushing me through that cycle of initiation and failure once more.

I must confess that some of these experiences were, in a sense, crucial progressive failures. They kept me positively engaged with life. For instance, I didn’t gain admission to my dream college or even the next ten choices on my list, yet I graduated from a respectable institution. While I didn’t secure the most prestigious job with the highest salary, I still landed a position. When I felt dissatisfied with my job, it prompted me to reflect, question, and explore what I truly desired in my career.

While I appeared to be failing in some areas, another part of this journey was subtly pushing me forward. It allowed me to encounter and discover a plethora of experiences I had never envisioned. These experiences, in turn, brought me joy during various moments in life, accompanied by modest achievements. In hindsight, I was in no position to even conceive many of those possibilities. It dawned on me that we are often unaware of what we do not know.

Similar to Jon Snow, who famously claimed ignorance, I too recognized my lack of knowledge for much of my life. However, through the years, I’ve realized that life is predominantly about exploration rather than merely achieving predefined goals. The objectives you set for yourself, based on limited awareness, may not truly align with what’s best for you. Even if they are indeed the goals you wish to attain, there may be alternative paths leading to those outcomes that lie beyond your current understanding.

In my case, along with limited knowledge, my aspirations and ambitions were often disproportionate to my actual skills and effort levels. When I was unable to dedicate the necessary effort, I found myself frustrated and angry. Yet, upon reflection, these were instances of progressive failures.

The Epiphany of Success

This sense of relative success emerged when I recently purchased a home for my wife and me. I find joy in sitting in one of its rooms, reflecting on the intricate tapestry of success and failure. The threads of seemingly unsuccessful outcomes have woven together to create a comfortable reality. This warmth dispels feelings of angst, allowing peace to fill the void.

This tranquility serves as a gentle reminder, encouraging me to embark on another journey—perhaps a familiar one, yet approached with renewed perspective, vigor, and intent. This journey may include starting, struggling, and progressively failing, even if victory isn’t achieved. At this juncture, the outcome might not matter as long as the journey is abundant with experiences and the joy of life.

Ultimately, that’s a point worth considering.

When faced with failure, remember, you may just be experiencing a phase of 'progressive failure.'

Chapter 2: Discovering Life's Purpose

This video explores the profound question of life's purpose, offering transformative insights that may change your perspective.

This video dives into the reasons behind our actions, challenging us to reconsider what motivates us to strive for our goals.