Failing is mandatory

I graduated with a degree in Visual Communication. It was my dad’s insight into my early interest in computers and art that led him to recommend this route.

He was right.

He also had very little money.

So he invested whatever he had into my education. And I worked whilst studying to make up the difference.

I found the course challenging, but I graduated.

For the next few years, I worked as a graphic designer in an ad agency in Dubai. The job was good and I lived a good life.

But I remained unfulfilled.

I spent my evenings learning how to code. Technology always attracted me. It was an escape for me.

So much so that I decided to become a programmer. And this was within 2 years of graduating as a designer.

Dad would be gutted. And I didn’t know how to tell him.

I had failed him. And I wasn’t even sure if I would be a good programmer! Or even get a job as one.

I had failed. And I was afraid of failing again.

Failure is a belief that you have unmet expectations. And they will never be met.

Who you are and who the world sees are two different people. You led the world to believe that what they see is the real deal.

Even if the real deal is a lie.

And it’s far easier to live a lie than to face the fear of failure. Because to change it would mean accepting that you are wrong. Telling the world that it was all a lie.

It would mean being vulnerable in public.

The fear of failing is real.

You’re not alone. Even if you think you are.

But if you don’t do it anyway, you continue to lie to yourself. And undervalue your potential. Your potential and capacity to be more than what you are.

Yes, you could fail. Again. But aren’t you failing right now?

The real you that is excited and energised to come out is on the other side.

Use the fear. Channel it.

And know that it is your moment to step up.

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Be willing to fail.

A mistake teaches you one more way to not do it. Each one moves you closer to your ultimate purpose.

Embrace it.

As for my dad, he embraced it.

When I told him, he was surprised. But not as much as he was proud that I was taking responsibility for my own life.

I did become a programmer. I got a great job. And relocated to the UK where I now live with my family. All because I was willing to fail.

Failing is mandatory. Feeling like a failure is optional.