The Gift of Failure

October 13th marks an unusual yet profound holiday: the International Day of Failure.​

What began in Finland as a celebration of mistakes, missteps, and missed opportunities has grown into a movement that teaches us all a powerful lesson—failure isn’t something to be feared.

Instead, it’s something to be embraced, learned from, and ultimately, celebrated.

Yet, in our hyper-success-driven culture, most people view failure as a mark of shame.

They’re haunted by the things that didn’t go as planned, that one miscalculated risk, or the time they fell short.

But here’s the truth: failure is one of the greatest teachers you will ever encounter.

Not just in Finland, but around the world, we need to reframe how we see failure.

Because without it, we’d never learn the lessons necessary for growth.

Without failure, we’d never develop the resilience to push through adversity.

And without failure, success would lose its meaning.

Today, we’re diving into the gift of failure, why it’s critical for your growth, and how you can use it to become stronger, smarter, and better—no matter where you are in the world.

Schools Have It All Wrong

From a young age, we’re conditioned to avoid failure.

At school, mistakes are punished with bad grades.

At work, failure often leads to missed opportunities, and in relationships, it can feel like failure marks the end of something precious.

The message we’re given is clear: failure is bad, and it’s something you should avoid at all costs.

But that mindset is not only wrong—it’s dangerous.

Here’s the real problem: By fearing failure, we limit ourselves.

We stay in our comfort zones, avoid risks, and resist trying anything new.

We become paralyzed by the thought of making mistakes, even though those mistakes are the very things that would push us forward.

In a world that glorifies perfection and punishes error, we lose sight of the fact that failure is inevitable.

Think about it: Every successful person you admire, every business titan, athlete, artist, or leader—they’ve all failed.

Not once, not twice, but probably a hundred times.

The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is not that they avoid failure—it’s that they embrace it.

Fearing Failure Makes You a Failure

Let me ask you something: When was the last time you failed?

Think back to that moment.

Did you feel ashamed?

Embarrassed?

Maybe even angry at yourself for letting it happen?

If you did, you’re not alone.

Society has conditioned us to view failure as something negative—something to hide or avoid.

But here’s where it gets tricky: If you never fail, you’re not trying hard enough.

The fear of failure holds you back more than failure itself ever will.

It keeps you stuck in mediocrity, afraid to take chances or pursue big, bold goals.

It stops you from learning, from growing, from evolving into the person you’re capable of becoming.

The truth is, the more you avoid failure, the more you’re avoiding success.

Imagine what could happen if you embraced failure instead of running from it.

What could you achieve if you weren’t afraid of making mistakes?

Every day that I get on the BJJ mat, I am giving myself the opportunity to fail.

Every time I tap, miss an opening, or fall to the sidelines exhausted and beat up, I get a chance to fail

And each time I do, I also get the opportunity to learn, grow and come back stronger, wiser and smarter.

Think about the opportunities you’ve missed because you were too afraid to take the leap.

The job you didn’t apply for, the business you didn’t start, the conversation you didn’t have—all because failure seemed like too big of a risk.

But here’s the thing: Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s a part of success.

Every time you fail, you learn something valuable.

Every time you fall short, you build resilience.

And every setback is a setup for your next big breakthrough.

The pain of failure is real, yes—but the pain of never trying is far worse.

Because living a life without failure means living a life without growth.

Failing Your Way to Success

So how do you change your relationship with failure?

How do you turn it from something that holds you back into something that propels you forward?

You start by changing the way you think about it.

1. Reframe Failure as a Teacher: Instead of seeing failure as a mark of shame, start seeing it as feedback. Every time you fail, you’re learning something. You’re discovering what works and what doesn’t. Failure is just data—it’s a part of the process of getting better. Think about athletes training for the Olympics. They don’t hit their best times on day one. They fail, over and over, until they refine their technique and reach their peak. Your failures are refining you.
2. Fail Fast and Fail Forward: The faster you fail, the faster you learn. Don’t drag out the process—if something’s not working, pivot quickly. Failure is only wasted if you don’t learn from it. The most successful entrepreneurs and innovators aren’t the ones who avoid mistakes—they’re the ones who make them quickly and move forward with the lessons. Embrace a mindset of rapid experimentation, knowing that every failure is moving you closer to the right answer.
3. Celebrate Your Failures: Just as the International Day of Failure teaches us, we should honor our past failures. Why? Because they’ve made you who you are today. Reflect on the times you’ve failed and think about how they’ve shaped you—your strength, your resilience, your ability to adapt. Celebrate those failures because they’re the foundation of your future successes.
4. Embrace Discomfort: Failure is uncomfortable, but that’s where growth happens. If you’re always in your comfort zone, you’re not pushing hard enough. Start doing things that make you uncomfortable. Try new things. Take risks. The more you embrace discomfort, the less power failure has over you.
5. Remember, Everyone Fails: This is not just a Finnish thing—it’s a universal human experience. From the richest CEO to the aspiring artist, everyone experiences failure. It’s not a sign that you’re not good enough—it’s a sign that you’re trying. And in the long run, those who try, fail, learn, and try again are the ones who achieve greatness.

Famous Failures That We Are Grateful For

If you think about it, failure is woven into the fabric of human progress.

Every major breakthrough in history was preceded by countless failures.

Thomas Edison famously said,

Imagine if he had given up after the first 100—or even the first 1,000—failures.

The world might still be lit by candlelight.

The same goes for personal development.

No one becomes great at anything without failing first.

Take J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.

Before her books became a global phenomenon, she was rejected by 12 different publishers.

Each rejection was a failure, but it didn’t stop her.

It fueled her determination.

In fact, it’s in those moments of failure where true character is built.

You see, failure forces you to confront your weaknesses.

It shows you where you need to improve, and it makes you stronger for the next challenge.

It teaches you resilience—because success isn’t about never falling down; it’s about getting back up, again and again, until you get it right.

This is what the International Day of Failure is all about.

It’s about changing the narrative around failure.

Instead of hiding from it, we celebrate it.

We look back at our mistakes, not with shame, but with pride.

Why?

Because every failure means we’re one step closer to success.

But it’s not just about looking at the past—it’s about the future.

By embracing failure, we give ourselves permission to take risks.

We open ourselves up to new opportunities and experiences.

We learn to let go of perfectionism and realize that progress, not perfection, is the real goal.

And here’s the kicker: The more you fail, the more you succeed.

It’s counterintuitive, but it’s true.

Each failure brings you one step closer to mastery.

Each setback is a setup for your next breakthrough.

Fail More Often and Learn From Your Failures

So, on this International Day of Failure, take a moment to reflect.

Think about the failures you’ve experienced in your life—the job you didn’t get, the project that didn’t work out, the goal you didn’t reach.

And instead of feeling ashamed, celebrate them.

Because those failures didn’t define you—they refined you.

Honor the lessons they taught you.

Embrace the strength they built in you.

And most importantly, let those failures fuel your future success.

Don’t fear failure—seek it out.

The more you’re willing to fail, the more you’ll grow.

The more you’ll learn.

And the more you’ll ultimately achieve.

Failure isn’t the end of the road—it’s the beginning of a new path.

It’s a gift, wrapped in discomfort, but filled with potential.

Remember, the only true failure is never trying at all.

So go ahead—fail often, fail fast, and fail forward.

The world is waiting for what you’ll accomplish next.

Throwing Down the Guantlet

On this International Day of Failure, I challenge you to do something that scares you—something you might fail at.

Take a risk, try something new, and embrace the possibility of failure.

Because on the other side of that failure is the person you’re meant to become.

And if you do fail?

Celebrate it.

Because you’re one step closer to success.