The Number 1 Reason Why Your Life is a Failure

Written by Aja Trinidad - 16 Comments
Categories: self improvement

Do you think your life is a failure? Why? Is it because you haven’t accomplished any of your goals? Or because you aren’t financially stable? Don’t have a beautiful home?

People can be very dramatic. We’ll stub our toe on the way out the door in the morning, and exclaim “Life sucks!”

We’ll create a goal to become a self-made millionaire, won’t work very hard to achieve the goal, and then 2 months later when we discover that our checking account has a balance of $3.24, scream, “I can’t do this!! I’m a failure!”

We use the word failure a lot. I’d venture to say we use it too much. And what does this word mean, anyway? What exactly is “failure”? Well, since I don’t know everything (sometimes), let’s consult with the dictionary.

failure (n.) – an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success
Alright, so according to the dictionary, if we lack success, we’ve failed. That’s good to know. So, what is success?

success (n.) – the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors

In other words, once you’ve accomplished your attempts or endeavors, you are a success. Really? How dare that dictionary!

Doesn’t it know that success can mean lots of different things? How about this?

1. You’re a success because you are able to remain positive in a world that’s full of negativity and hopelessness.

2. You’re a success because you spread love into the world.

3. You’re a success because you’re constantly willing to learn, grow, and expand.

4. You’re a success because you’re flexible. You realize that if one thing doesn’t work out, you can always try something else.

5. You’re a success because you understand that in order for there to be good times, there have to be bad times.

6. You’re a success because you live in a world where everyone tells you that you “can’t,” yet you try anyway.

So do you understand now the one and only reason why your life would be a failure?

It’s simple.

It’s because you think it is.

For more free resources on how to take control of your life and find success and happiness, visit Aja Trinidad (Life Coach and Writer) at The Art of Wise Living, www.ajatrinidad.com.

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  • http://www.tohami.com M. A. Tohami

    Hi,

    Zig Ziglar says, “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.”

    You only fail when you stop trying.

    Thanks for the nice post.

    Regards,
    Tohami
    Bestselling author of “The Pharaohs’ Code: Creating a Joyful Life and a Lasting Legacy”

  • http://www.bestihave.com Marion Youngblood

    You are right on! Really appreciate your re-framing the success definition as you did. Nice insight. Thanks.

  • http://renewminds.com/ Renew Minds

    One word to sum up this post “WOW” – you expressed this failure well. Looking forward to your next post.

  • http://www.futharklifehack.com Mathieu

    “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” – Sir Winston Churchill

    It’s comforting to know what a failure is just an opportunity. We too often think that “this is the end, I can’t do it,” but then you still have to wake up the next day to face your problems again. Life goes on. Failure actually redirects your mind and you can then try to choose the best way.

    Great post, btw :)

    Futhark Lifehack – Build Your Ideal Life

  • http://fithappyhealthy.com/blog Anita

    Aja – this is a powerful insight :)

    A lot of people get stuck at the ‘gates’ of failure and they don’t, or don’t know how to look further to what failure really is – as you say, an opportunity to get closer to success. If they did look further – they’d be eager to fail :)

    IMHO – there’s also a sub-aspect of this. And that’s finding what success means for you.

    But dig deep – don’t just say “When I become a millionaire – I’ll feel successful.” How many million do you want? What will the money mean to you (because the physical money isn’t going to make you happy – it’s what you do with it that creates success)?

    So define what success means to you. And then be prepared to be flexible about it – without feeling guilty that you steer of course. Life isn’t a constant – so no goal should be either.

    Thank you for a great post.

  • Terry

    I love T.S. Eliot’s definition:

    “Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things.”

    As someone who has made a LOT of messes but who has somehow managed to work through them, I find that very encouraging.

  • http://www.personal-powerpack.com Doug Cartwright

    As said above, nice post. I’ve been toying recently with the idea of ‘succeeding before you start’ – like Henry Ford said “If you think you can or your can’t – you’re right.”

  • http://www.benjamindoolittle.com Benjamin II

    When you begin your journey, its good to remember what it is that drives you to succeed, here is a article to my site that discusses Motivation vs Inspiration http://benjamindoolittle.com/blog/motivation-vs-inspiration/

    take care
    Benjamin II

  • http://www.healthybodyrevolution.com Matt Joseph

    Very cool. Reminds me of the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling that I had to learn back in grade school. Powerful stuff!

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  • Paul

    Very nice! I love the alternate definitions of success.

    We are failures if we think we are. And why do we think so? Usually because we compare ourselves to others. We say that this other person, who we were like way back when, has achieved this or that, and we think that ought to have achieved something similar by now.

    Each one of us is unique; we have our own path. The choices of the others may not be what we would have chosen, and we may not even be happy in their shoes today.

    Peace to all!

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  • http://www.planetnaveen.com Winning Ideas

    Great revelation. Nicely explained.

    Wish article was bit short.I mean I need more of such kind of articles :-)

    A popular post on my blog
    How transform yourself from a medicore employee to superstar employee at your day job

  • Ramon Watts

    nice read

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  • Ronnyb2

    if only i did or thought just one of those reason you posted why i am not a failure….
    now if you’ll excuse me… im gonna go be depressed and keep it that way for eternity