The Phenomenon of Failure
- Jeff Sealy

- Nov 22
- 2 min read
How do we understand the term “Phenomenon”? The term 'phenomenon' is common today because observable events occur every day. The wonder of an event that may or may not be explainable can have a lasting impact on anyone. However, when we look deeper into the term, we find that there are stages in the development process. For a person to achieve a transcendent outcome, failure precedes success. The phenomenon of failure includes all the psychological effects of growth, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, before achievement. Society typically views a phenomenon as something that occurs unexpectedly. In some cases, that may be true, such as a lightning strike hitting a tree or the discovery of an endangered species. Nonetheless, most people do not realize that these levels can foster innovation and build resilience, leading to significant discoveries.
The idea of failure should be embraced rather than avoided in any endeavor. Failure enhances character and provides valuable insight when people make mistakes. Therefore, failure should be viewed as a stepping stone rather than a barrier or discouragement, and as a period for adjustment to develop a better approach. The paradox about failure is that most people see it as the opposite of success rather than one of its key elements. Consider this: if someone cooks a meal for the first time and forgets a crucial ingredient, it doesn't mean the meal won't taste good; instead, it's a trial-and-error process. The missing ingredient can motivate one to improve cooking skills rather than giving up entirely. Every failure should be seen as a lesson rather than a mistake, and each task should be seen as a building block toward success.
In academics or sports, growth happens through repetition and practice, which encourage self-reflection and natural adaptation. Fear of failure is a normal feeling that should be accepted as part of the process, not an obstacle. In reality, it’s common to feel resentment, vulnerability, and demoralization. However, the ultimate goal remains reachable despite the ups and downs of success. The best approach is to see failures as fuel rather than as a distortion of ability, which can lead to a negative view of one’s strengths and weaknesses. Community also teaches us about failure, helping people learn from others' mistakes and fostering understanding during different stages of development. The ability to learn from experience offers many benefits for individuals and organizations. In this context, a culture of learning from failure can become shared knowledge worldwide, with the key being to embrace and overcome failure.






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