Episode 14 - Failure Doesn’t Define You

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Episode 14 - Failure Doesn’t Define You

Jerry: Hi, everyone!
Jerry: I’m Jerry, and welcome to Effortless English Podcasts.

Luna: And I’m Luna!
Luna: It’s great to have you here with us today.

Jerry: Today, we’re diving into a topic that every single person on this planet has faced at some point.
Jerry: It’s a topic that challenges us, shapes us, and teaches us valuable lessons.

Luna: We’re talking about failure and setbacks.
Luna: How to face them, how to deal with them, and how to come out stronger on the other side.

Jerry: Now, let’s be honest.
Jerry: Failure is never fun.
Jerry: But it’s also a part of life that no one can avoid.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And yet, so many of us fear it more than anything else.

Jerry: That’s true.
Jerry: But here’s the thing—facing failure isn’t about avoiding it completely.
Jerry: It’s about learning how to handle it when it comes.

Luna: And that’s what we’ll explore today.
Luna: We’ll share some stories, some tips, and a few laughs along the way.

Jerry: Before we dive in, just a quick reminder.
Jerry: We’ve provided a transcript of today’s episode.
Jerry: You can find the link in the video description.

Luna: We also have subtitles available in multiple languages.
Luna: So, turn on CC if you need them.

Jerry: Alright, let’s get started!

Jerry: Alright, so let’s start with the obvious.
Jerry: Everyone experiences failure at some point in life.
Jerry: It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do.

Luna: True.
Luna: Whether it’s in your career, your relationships, or just trying something new.
Luna: Failure happens to all of us.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: And you know, I actually found a study about this.
Jerry: It says that the average person will experience failure or rejection at least 20 times in their adult life.

Luna: Twenty times?
Luna: That sounds low to me.
Luna: I feel like I’ve hit that number already!

Jerry: Well, the study focuses on major life failures.
Jerry: Like losing a job, a business not working out, or a serious mistake.

Luna: Got it.
Luna: But if we count all the small failures, the number would be way higher.

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: And that’s why it’s so important to talk about failure.
Jerry: It’s not just some rare thing that happens to unlucky people.
Jerry: It’s a part of life for everyone.

Luna: You’re right.
Luna: But here’s the thing.
Luna: A lot of people are so scared of failing that they stop trying altogether.

Jerry: That’s such a common problem.
Jerry: Fear of failure can really hold you back.
Jerry: But here’s a question for you, Luna.
Jerry: Why do you think people are so afraid of failing?

Luna: I think it’s because failing makes you feel vulnerable.
Luna: It’s like putting yourself out there, only to realize you weren’t good enough.
Luna: That’s hard to deal with.

Jerry: That makes sense.
Jerry: There’s also the fear of what others will think.
Jerry: Nobody wants to be judged for messing up.

Luna: Totally.
Luna: But honestly, I feel like most people aren’t even paying that much attention.
Luna: Everyone’s too busy worrying about their own lives.

Jerry: That’s a great point.
Jerry: The truth is, failure isn’t as big of a deal as we make it out to be.
Jerry: It’s normal, and it’s part of the process.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: So, instead of running from failure, we should learn to embrace it.
Luna: After all, every failure comes with a lesson, right?

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: And those lessons are what help us grow and get better.

Jerry: Alright, Luna.
Jerry: Let’s make this real.
Jerry: Why don’t we share some personal stories about failure?

Luna: Sounds good.
Luna: I think it’s always helpful to hear real examples.

Jerry: Okay, I’ll go first.
Jerry: So, back when I was working as an engineer, I made a pretty big mistake.
Jerry: I was leading a project for a new software tool.
Jerry: Everything seemed to be going well, or at least I thought so.

Luna: Uh-oh, I can already sense where this is going.

Jerry: Right?
Jerry: Well, it turned out I had missed a crucial detail in the planning phase.
Jerry: That one mistake caused the project to go over budget by nearly 15%.

Luna: Wow.
Luna: That must have been a tough one to face.

Jerry: It was brutal.
Jerry: I had to explain what went wrong to my manager and the client.
Jerry: Let me tell you, it was not a fun conversation.

Luna: I can imagine.
Luna: So, what did you do?

Jerry: I owned up to it.
Jerry: I admitted my mistake and offered solutions to fix it.
Jerry: But more importantly, I learned to double-check every detail going forward.

Luna: That’s a solid takeaway.
Luna: And you know what?
Luna: I think failures like that teach us accountability and humility.

Jerry: For sure.
Jerry: Alright, your turn, Luna.
Jerry: What’s one failure that stands out for you?

Luna: Oh, I’ve got a good one.
Luna: A few years ago, I tried to start a small business selling handmade jewelry.
Luna: I was so excited, and I poured all my energy into it.

Jerry: That sounds great.
Jerry: So, what happened?

Luna: Well, I didn’t do enough research on pricing and marketing.
Luna: I ended up spending more money than I made.
Luna: After six months, I had to shut it down.

Jerry: Ouch.
Jerry: That must have been disappointing.

Luna: It was.
Luna: I felt like I had wasted so much time and effort.
Luna: But then I realized it wasn’t a waste at all.

Jerry: How so?

Luna: Because I learned so much from that experience.
Luna: Like how to manage my finances and how important it is to study the market first.
Luna: Plus, I discovered that I actually love creating things.

Jerry: That’s a great perspective.
Jerry: Sometimes the lessons are worth more than the success itself.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And you know, if I ever try again, I’ll be way more prepared.

Jerry: That’s the spirit.
Jerry: Failures like these really shape who we are.

Jerry: So, Luna, let’s talk about something really practical here.
Jerry: How can we prepare for failure before it even happens?

Luna: That’s a great question.
Luna: I think part of it is about having the right mindset, but let’s hear your take first.

Jerry: Sure.
Jerry: One of the most important things I’ve learned is about controlling risks.
Jerry: For example, if you’re starting a business, don’t invest every penny you have into it.

Luna: Totally.
Luna: You need to leave yourself a safety net in case things don’t go as planned.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: I always think about this like building a bridge.
Jerry: You don’t burn the one behind you before you’ve finished the one ahead.

Luna: That’s a great metaphor.
Luna: So, how do you figure out how much risk is too much?

Jerry: Good question.
Jerry: It really depends on the situation.
Jerry: But a good rule of thumb is this:
Jerry: Don’t risk more than what you can afford to lose.

Luna: Makes sense.
Luna: So, it’s about balancing ambition with caution.

Jerry: Right.
Jerry: And here’s another tip—plan for failure.
Jerry: Think about what you’ll do if things go wrong.

Luna: Like having a backup plan?

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: For instance, if you’re switching careers, maybe start learning new skills on the side.
Jerry: That way, you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Luna: That’s smart.
Luna: It’s like building up your resources before taking a big leap.

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: And it’s not just about finances or skills.
Jerry: It’s also about mental preparation.

Luna: Oh, I totally agree with that.
Luna: I think a lot of people forget how important it is to prepare emotionally.

Jerry: Definitely.
Jerry: So, how do you handle that part, Luna?

Luna: Well, for me, it’s about accepting that failure is a possibility.
Luna: I remind myself that even if I fail, it’s not the end of the world.
Luna: Life goes on, and there’s always a way to bounce back.

Jerry: That’s such a healthy perspective.
Jerry: It’s like being realistic but also optimistic.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And I think it helps to focus on what you can control, instead of worrying about things you can’t.

Jerry: That’s a great point.
Jerry: Preparing for failure isn’t about expecting the worst.
Jerry: It’s about being ready to handle whatever comes your way.

Luna: Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Jerry: So, Luna, let’s shift gears a bit.
Jerry: We’ve talked about preparing for failure, but what about after it happens?
Jerry: How do you bounce back and rebuild your confidence?

Luna: That’s a big question.
Luna: And honestly, I think it depends on the person.
Luna: But let’s hear your thoughts first, Jerry.

Jerry: Alright.
Jerry: I actually came across a study recently that looked into this.
Jerry: It found that one of the best ways to recover from failure is to set small, achievable goals.

Luna: Oh, I like that idea.
Luna: It’s like taking baby steps to build momentum again.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: Let’s say you failed at a major project.
Jerry: Instead of jumping straight into another big one, start with something smaller.
Jerry: That way, you can rebuild your confidence little by little.

Luna: Makes sense.
Luna: I think a lot of people try to do too much too soon after a failure.
Luna: And then, they just end up feeling even more discouraged.

Jerry: That’s true.
Jerry: But here’s the thing—those small wins add up.
Jerry: They remind you that you’re still capable, even after a setback.

Luna: Totally.
Luna: And for me, I think it’s also about self-compassion.
Luna: You’ve got to be kind to yourself when you fail.

Jerry: That’s a great point.
Jerry: Failure is hard enough without beating yourself up over it.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And you know what?
Luna: I’ve found that talking to someone you trust can really help.
Luna: Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or even just journaling your thoughts.

Jerry: That’s so true.
Jerry: Sometimes, just getting your feelings out can make a huge difference.

Luna: Absolutely.
Luna: And another thing I like to do is remind myself of past successes.
Luna: It’s like saying, “Hey, I’ve done hard things before. I can do it again.”

Jerry: That’s such a good strategy.
Jerry: It’s like using your own history as proof that you’re capable.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And honestly, sometimes it’s just about giving yourself time.
Luna: Healing and rebuilding confidence doesn’t happen overnight.

Jerry: So true.
Jerry: But with the right mindset and a few practical steps, it’s definitely possible.

Luna: Agreed.
Luna: And in the end, every failure is just a stepping stone to something greater.

Jerry: Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Jerry: Alright, Luna.
Jerry: Let’s talk about something a lot of people struggle with.
Jerry: The fear of failure.

Luna: Oh, that’s a big one.
Luna: I think fear of failure holds more people back than failure itself.

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: I mean, how many opportunities have been missed just because someone was afraid to try?

Luna: Probably way too many.
Luna: And it’s such a shame because every time you avoid trying, you miss out on a chance to grow.

Jerry: That’s so true.
Jerry: But here’s an interesting thing I read recently.
Jerry: People who take more risks and embrace failure tend to be more successful in the long run.

Luna: Really?
Luna: That actually makes a lot of sense.
Luna: Because the more you try, the more chances you have to succeed, right?

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: And even if you fail, you’re learning something valuable every time.

Luna: Totally.
Luna: It’s like building a muscle.
Luna: The more you work at it, the stronger you get.

Jerry: That’s a great way to put it.
Jerry: And that’s why I think having a growth mindset is so important.
Jerry: It helps you see failure as a stepping stone, not a dead end.

Luna: Couldn’t agree more.
Luna: When you have a growth mindset, challenges become opportunities, not threats.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: And it’s not just about big challenges, either.
Jerry: Even small things, like learning a new skill or trying a new hobby, can help you build that mindset.

Luna: Definitely.
Luna: I think it’s also about letting go of perfectionism.
Luna: No one gets everything right on the first try, and that’s okay.

Jerry: That’s such an important point.
Jerry: If you’re always aiming for perfection, you’ll never start anything.

Luna: Right.
Luna: And honestly, perfection is overrated.
Luna: It’s the progress that really matters.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: So, for anyone listening, don’t let the fear of failure stop you.
Jerry: Take that first step, even if it’s a small one.

Luna: Yes!
Luna: Because even small steps can lead to big changes over time.

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: And remember, every failure is just a part of the journey.

Luna: Exactly.
Luna: So, let’s embrace the failures, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

Jerry: Well said, Luna.

Jerry: Alright, Luna.
Jerry: I think we’ve covered a lot of great points today.

Luna: We definitely have.
Luna: From understanding failure to preparing for it, to learning how to bounce back stronger.

Jerry: Exactly.
Jerry: And let’s not forget the importance of embracing a growth mindset.
Jerry: It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about learning and growing from it.

Luna: Totally agree.
Luna: And I think the biggest takeaway here is this:
Luna: Failure is a normal part of life, and it doesn’t define you.

Jerry: Absolutely.
Jerry: What defines you is how you respond to failure and the lessons you take from it.

Luna: So, for all of you listening out there, don’t let fear stop you.
Luna: Take risks, try new things, and know that failure is just part of the journey.

Jerry: Well said, Luna.
Jerry: And we’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Luna: Yes!
Luna: Have you faced a big failure in your life?
Luna: How did you deal with it, and what did you learn?

Jerry: Share your experiences in the comments below.
Jerry: We’d love to read them and maybe even discuss them in a future episode.

Luna: And if you found today’s episode helpful, don’t forget to like and share it with someone who might need a little encouragement.

Jerry: That’s right.
Jerry: And remember, you can find the full transcript in the video description.
Jerry: Subtitles in multiple languages are also available if you need them.

Luna: Thank you so much for joining us today.
Luna: We really appreciate you spending your time with us.

Jerry: Until next time, take care, stay curious, and keep growing.

Luna: Bye, everyone!