The Success of a Failure: Lessons from Career Setbacks

Not Understanding the Role

Let me share the reasons behind the failure so you can avoid them in the first place.

I was so focused on the goals I set that I neglected the system behind them. Here's the insight: if you want better results, forget about setting goals—focus on your system instead. Goals are overrated. A goal is just a compass; a system is what actually gets you there. James Clear's *Atomic Habits* explores this beautifully.

There should be a vision or ideology behind any job you're doing. Without it, decision-making becomes inconsistent, and resilience crumbles under pressure. Finding purpose in your work becomes the backbone that supports you through any situation. *Ikigai* is a book that helped me understand this deeply.

This is perhaps the most underrated factor. Sticking to basics and doing homework before any task is invaluable. Legends like Sachin and Federer believe in fundamentals and practice them daily. Being well-prepared—for a meeting, a project, a conversation—makes all the difference.

Communication isn't just about language fluency. It's about:

Follow-ups and Connections

When your back is against the wall, it takes grit to bounce back—to regain others' confidence, and more importantly, your own. The biggest lesson: if you accept failure, move on, and put effort into improvement, you return with higher confidence and positivity.

A positive mindset is stronger than anything. Understanding situations as they truly are, contemplating merits and demerits objectively—this helps manage ego, disagreements, and setbacks constructively.

Somewhere in the daily grind, we forget to learn. But the world moves faster than we anticipate; skillsets get outdated at lightning speed. As the Zen quote goes: *"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."* Keep learning, keep updating, keep evolving.

Understanding your mistakes is the first step toward improvement. Ask for help from people who can shed light on how you can grow. And never take feedback personally—it's data, not judgment.

Taking time for personal improvement, family, rest, and sleep contributes to a peaceful mind—which directly impacts your career performance.

Being reluctant to meet people is a roadblock, especially in remote work. Touch base with your team and peers. Meet people, understand the vibe, take inputs, give suggestions.

Final Thoughts

Happy failing, happy learning.

The failures that teach us the most are the ones we embrace, analyze, and grow from. They don't define us—they refine us.