How do you handle failure?

What happens when you fall short of a goal…or realize you already broke your New Year’s resolution? It can be very frustrating. But pay attention to your mindset around failure, it makes all the difference in moving forward.

One of the most valuable lessons my mentor Dr. Nido Qubein taught me is this: “It’s okay to be disappointed. It’s not okay to be discouraged.” Disappointment says, “That didn’t go the way I hoped.”

Discouragement says, “Why even try again?”

And those two responses lead to very different next steps.

So, on this Front-Row Friday, here are two things I want you to remember the next time you experience failure:

1. Give yourself credit for trying

You were in the game. You attempted something meaningful. You showed up. That alone deserves credit. Give yourself some grace that it didn’t turn out as planned—but don’t discount the courage it took to try in the first place.

2. Ask: What can I learn from this? Instead of beating yourself up, get curious. What would you do differently next time? Do you need a new direction, coaching, or a different process? What lesson can you carry forward, so the next attempt is stronger?

The most successful people don’t avoid failure. They simply know how to be resilient and bounce back. They don’t take it personally, they separate who they are from what didn’t work. And that separation gives them the clarity to grow, improve, and keep moving toward their goals.

So, if something didn’t go your way recently, it’s okay to be disappointed. Just don’t be discouraged.

Happy Front-Row Friday,