While you’re busy striving for success, the lessons lurking in your failures are quietly shaping your journey. Experience, as they say, is the best teacher. Of course, there's an ironic twist to this adage. You see, it usually doesn't let you in on the lesson until after you’ve failed miserably. As Oscar Wilde wisely pointed out, this teacher is a bit of a trickster; it hands you the test first and the lesson afterward.
"Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward"
So, what do you do with this delightful truth? Whether you stumble face-first into failure or find a way to reach your goal, there are always nuggets of wisdom to be gleaned. You might even say that failing is like the universe’s way of giving you a practice round. This reminds me that Thomas Edison failed 2774 times according to his records and then reached a working design of an electric light bulb on attempt number 2775.
Think of it as getting comfortable with making mistakes and fall short of your goals—because, let’s be honest, you're definitely going to make them and fall short. One thing humans are experts at doing is making mistakes - embrace that but learn from each of them.
On the flip side, there is success. Succeeding is awesome! But the journey to continue to learn and become a student in your craft never stops. It’s all well and good until you start feeling a bit too proud of yourself and stop innovating. That’s when the universe swoops in with a swift kick to remind you to keep your feet on the ground. Because the moment you think you’ve got everything figured out is precisely when you’ll find yourself in a very vulnerable position. It’s almost as if success is just an elaborate setup for a future misstep.
So embrace your experiences, both the glorious highs and the cringe-worthy lows. Learn to savor them as you would your most cherished memories. They're all part of your unique journey—the good, the bad, and the unforgettable. After all, the best stories often start with a great big “Oops!” and end with, “Well, that wasn’t in the manual.” So your homework is simple: roll with the punches and keep those lessons in your back pocket. One day, you’ll be glad you did.
Here are five important thoughts about failure, successes, and experiences:
- You might think success is your best friend, but remember—it's also the sneaky partner that leaves you vulnerable when you least expect it.
- Failing sounds harsh, but in the grand scheme of life, it's really more like your toughest mentor, doling out life lessons without a syllabus.
- Every time you stumble, consider it a chance to write a sequel to your personal story—after all, practice makes perfect, even in failure.
- Just when you feel on top of the world, life will swoop in to remind you that humility is always a lesson away.
- Each experience, whether triumphant or disastrous, is a stepping stone on the winding path to wisdom (or at least a good story to tell).
One of my favorite quotes by President John F Kennedy:
“Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”
When you face failure, it's natural to be discouraged at first. But let’s flip that narrative. Each setback is a practical lesson, a dress-rehearsal for future success.
Similarly, in moments of achievement, don’t let success go to your head. It's a double-edged sword; it can make you complacent. Remember that the journey of improvement never really ends. Instead of letting pride and ego cloud your judgment, view success as a stepping stone for future challenges / future failures even.
In the end, life teaches us that both victorious moments and uncomfortable failures are valuable stops on the road to wisdom. Embrace the lessons, and allow your experiences to shape a more resilient and mentally tougher you.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable...
Join Stew Smith's LIVE QA on YouTube, where he dissects and critiques submitted CSS videos and takes your questions LIVE! 930am Mondays / Tuesdays at Stew Smith Fitness YouTube Channel.
(In fact, there are more than 40 books, 1000+ articles, online coaching - and more)
Who is Stew Smith CSCS? Coach, Trainer, Writer, Podcaster: I'm the former Navy SEAL that tactical candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com
Where to Find More Information About Optimal Performance Training Programs
When you start training again, consider the seasonal tactical fitness model. I call it A WAY to train and obviously not the only way to train. But it offers the opportunity to never neglect your weaknesses, helps with flexibility and mobility, but will also put you at a level of physical abilities where you are happy with your overall ability to do just about anything. We have a system where the seasons dictate our training. When it is nicer outside, we tend to run and do more calisthenics. When it is colder and not so nice, we lift more, run less, and still maintain our outdoor activities with shorter runs and rucks. Check it out: Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization System.
These Seasonal Tactical Fitness BLOCK Periodization programs will walk you through 4 x 4 weeks cycles with 16 weeks of each season in two programs. (32 total weeks)
Increase Strength & Crush the PST / PAST
3 Weeks Strength - 1 Week PT / Cardio Focus
(16 weeks)
These programs will walk you through 4 cycles with 12 weeks of each season in two programs.
The Specific Military / Special Ops Physical Fitness Workouts
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT
Navy SWCC Workout
Army / Air Force Advanced Fitness / Special Ops
Army PFT Workout (Prep For Rucking, OPAT, ACFT)
Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout
Army Air Assault School Workout
Army Airborne Workout
Air Force Special Warfare IFT / OFT / Selection Prep
Advanced Running Program - Special Ops Supplement Plan
USMC RECON / MarSOC Workout
USMC OCS / TBS Workout
USMC IST and PFT
The Combat Conditioning Workout
Air Force PJ / CCT Workout Battlefield Airman Prep Course
The UBRR Upper Body Round Robin Workout / Spec Ops version
The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer / Navy SAR Workout
The Service Academy Workout (West Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)
The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Boot Camp Workout
-
The Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Workouts
The FBI Academy Workout | FBI Workout Vol 2
The DEA Workout
The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB
The PFT Bible: Pushups, Sit-ups, 1.5 Mile Run
The Fire Fighter Workout - Ace the CPAT
Tactical Fitness Over 40 Series
Tactical Fitness (40+) Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4
Online Coaching Options
Online PT CLUB - Weekly Workouts created personally for you.
New Member's Only Content / Services Program!
If you want access to years worth of workouts, many of the top eBOOKs, favorite workouts of the week, free fitness APP, closed Facebook Group, video / picture library of exercises, and more access to LIVE Q/A sessions check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, live Q and A lessons.
Consider this! - A Membership Program and Gain Access to Exclusive Content
(click for Fitness Club Dashboard - members only)
Questions? Just email - Stew@StewSmith.com
At StewSmith.com - List of Products and Services
- FREE Articles.
- Podcasts and Swimming Videos (Youtube, TikTok, Instagram)
- eBooks
- Books and eBooks in PRINT
- Stew Smith Fitness Club membership site
- Online Coaching
Stew Smith Fitness