We've all been there, in those sinking moments of failure, feeling as if we're simply not cut out for the journey of achieving dreams. But the one thing I want you to remember as you read this is: failure is not just an encounter on the road to success – it's a crucial PART of success.

Take a minute to think about it: Every successful person you admire, every story that stirs your heart, they all have one thing in common – an encounter with failure. From the luminaries like Thomas Edison to modern-day icons such as Elon Musk, their journeys have been marred by mistakes, missteps, and periods of self-doubt. But rather than being roadblocks in their path, these failures became their greatest teachers.

Remember when J.K. Rowling faced a slew of rejections before “Harry Potter” found a home? Or when Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for lacking imagination? These moments of failure were stepping stones to their extraordinary success stories – stories that would not have unfolded without these initial setbacks.

I still recall my struggle in creating the LMA course. There were countless nights filled with questions, self-doubt, and failures. I worried if my vision of equipping people with life skills to push past their limits would ever materialize. But with hindsight, I see that these moments gave me the opportunity to dig deep, to glean a kernel of truth worth sharing. Each stumble hardened my resolve, sharpened my focus, and ultimately, forged the Success Insider, a site devoted to helping each one of you on your journey of self-improvement.

So, why is it that the narrative of failure is often shied away from? Why do we try so hard to sidestep it, when we should be embracing it?

Our mental conditioning plays a big part. We've been taught to equate failure with inadequacy, rather than trial and error. But remind yourself that it's the opposite—failure is proof that you are pushing your boundaries, that you are growing. Because if you are not failing, you are not trying hard enough.

The secret lies in reframing the way we perceive failure: learning to see it as an opportunity, a teacher, a coach that gives valuable feedback to refine our actions.

What's the next step you ask? Action. Remember, real change happens when knowledge meets application. The next time you face failure, pause, and instead of berating yourself, ask: What is this teaching me? How can I apply this learning in my next move?

You will be surprised at the insights that surface in these moments of reflection. The key is to not let failure stop you. Instead, use it as a springboard to learn, grow, and keep moving forward.

Let's end this with one of my favorite quotes by the ever-inspiring Thomas Edison, “I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” So, the next time you stumble, remember that you've just found another way of how not to do something. Gather your learnings, stand up, and try again—wisdom is error acted upon.

Embrace failure. It's the greatest teacher you'll ever have, an integral part of your journey to success. Say it with me, “I am not afraid of failure. I embrace it, learn from it, and will use it to fuel my journey to success.”

Remember, every ‘No' you receive takes you a step closer to a ‘Yes'. So keep pushing, keep failing, keep learning. Your success story is waiting just around the corner. Now, go out there and make it happen!