Chapter 1: Understanding Failure as a Stepping Stone

As the famous quote by Einstein goes, "You never truly fail until you stop trying."

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Throughout my childhood, I generated countless ideas that I believed were exceptional. From quick schemes for making money to elaborate plans for long-term achievements, my youthful imagination was always buzzing. Regardless of whether these ideas ended in success or failure, I was committed to seeing them through. Unfortunately, as I matured, my eagerness to explore new ventures began to dwindle. The minor setbacks that once seemed trivial now felt significant.

With adolescence came a heightened self-awareness that altered my interactions with others. I became more aware of the deeper meanings behind social exchanges, and feelings of anxiety, envy, and competitiveness began to creep in. Success became synonymous with gaining recognition from others, while failure represented a loss of that acknowledgment. As these feelings intensified, I developed a fear of failing, driven by the expectations of others. Remember, don’t let fear of failure control you; it doesn't hold the power you think it does!

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At the age of 9, when I moved to a new city, my definition of success revolved around social acceptance. At that time, being recognized by peers and achieving a form of 'popularity' was paramount. In a new and unfamiliar environment, surrounded by children who were different from me, the pressure to fit in escalated.

Back in Nigeria, I excelled at soccer. Moving to Vienna, I hoped to replicate that success. However, my aspirations for swift social acceptance were dashed as I struggled to keep up with my peers. The climatic differences and high altitude were challenging, but I also approached the game with a new mindset: I felt I had to win. The focus shifted from enjoying the game to the pressure of distinguishing myself through victories, which ultimately drained the joy from the sport, leading me to quit a few years later.

The immense pressure I placed on myself mirrored the expectations many face today. When we concentrate on the potential consequences of failing, we often intensify the pressure to succeed. However, I've come to realize that failure isn't as consequential as we believe. In the end, I did make friends at my new school—most of whom had no connection to my soccer skills.

The first lesson my younger self imparted was to not attach excessive significance to failure; it is an integral part of growth. Allowing fear of failure to dominate your thoughts can lead to unnecessary mental strain. In reality, those failures are merely obstacles on the path to success, shaping us into who we are meant to be. Quitting due to hardship is one of the worst decisions you can make!

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Learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage for many. Like most kids, I started out with training wheels. As my friends removed theirs, I felt the urge to keep up, so I took off one wheel, then the other. While most children master this skill in a month, it took me two. Yet, my younger self was determined; I practiced daily until I finally succeeded.

Years later, at 15, I found myself learning a new skill again—this time, a trick on my longboard. I invested hours watching tutorials and practicing. However, unlike my younger self, I became impatient after just two weeks. Blaming my board for the difficulty, I gave up trying to master the trick.

As a child, I viewed failure as a stepping stone, an indication that I was still on my way to success, and the time it took didn't matter. But with age came impatience; every failed attempt led to frustration and self-doubt. I told myself the trick was too challenging and that I lacked talent, leading me to abandon my efforts.

What my younger self understood, which I failed to grasp, was that persistence pays off. Success emerges from practice, and simply quitting because something is hard devalues the effort already invested. Achievements require work, and that journey can often be tough. If you give up before trying, you truly miss out on success.

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I've always relished accomplishing what others deemed impossible. This competitive spirit shone during a seventh-grade programming project, where we were tasked with creating an engaging website. Our teacher introduced the concept of a virtual 3D assistant to guide visitors through our project, but he expressed doubts about its feasibility.

This challenge sparked my determination. I dove into research, watching countless tutorials until I successfully integrated the virtual assistant into my site. The teacher’s lack of expectations only fueled my resolve; I was determined to prove him wrong.

However, as I grew older, I found it increasingly difficult to disregard others’ expectations, which began to intimidate me. This was evident when I attempted to venture into dropshipping. Enthusiastic about the potential, my mother loaned me $300 to get started. Initially, things went smoothly, and she simply hoped for my best effort.

Yet as I delved deeper, I encountered stories of failure in the dropshipping world. The pressure to succeed intensified, especially since I feared disappointing my mother. I never even launched my business; I found excuses to withdraw instead.

In truth, with perseverance, I could have navigated the hurdles and initiated my venture. However, my fear of failure—of letting my mother down—led me to inaction. I rationalized my decision to quit by attributing it to external factors, avoiding the reality of my failure.

Ultimately, my mother reassured me, emphasizing that her disappointment lay not in the financial loss but in my lack of effort. She taught me that failure is simply a delay on the path to success, and true failure occurs only when you don't even attempt to try.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Learning Process

The first video, "15 Life-Changing Tips to My Younger Self," provides valuable insights on embracing failure and learning from it.

The second video, "What's The Best Piece Of Advice You Would Tell Your Younger Self? Wise Advice," shares wisdom about overcoming fears and realizing potential.

Reflecting on youth, we find that failure is less daunting. Each attempt teaches us and enhances our growth. Rather than quitting after setbacks, we should persevere, understanding that every effort shapes our journey. As we age, successes often overshadow the multitude of failures that paved the way. So, let's take a lesson from our younger selves: success and failure are interconnected. Don’t shy away from failure; remember, you only truly fail when you stop trying.