How to Embrace Failure and Come Back Stronger: A Personal Story

I was questioned recently about my greatest failure and my subsequent recovery. Here's what I shared...

The concept of failure often instills fear, disappointment, and a sense of dread. However, failures frequently teach us the most valuable lessons in life. When asked to reflect on my significant failure and my recovery process, my response highlighted resilience, determination, and unexpected journeys.

Between 2013 and 2014, as the COO of inBloom, an educational technology non-profit, I faced challenges due to a flawed business model we inherited and unforeseen external conflicts. Those months transpired into cycles of development, strategy, and ultimately, the tough decision to close our doors. 

That closure, however, paved the way for something new. I joined my husband at Spotlight Performance, a company leveraging web-based video technology to enhance interpersonal communication. Our initial triumphs in Atlanta affirmed our vision and ambition.

Our first year overflowed with successes, but the second year brought with it various hurdles such as technical issues, scaling problems, and differences within the team that tested both the company and our personal lives.

These tests drove me to self-evaluation and critical choices. Once more, I found myself considering future paths.

A pivotal change came when my prayers were answered in an unexpected form and I moved my family from Roswell, GA, to Tampa, FL, to serve as Chief Strategy Officer at LSF. This move was not only physical but also represented a return to my roots, where I started my career more than two decades earlier.

In Tampa, a new chapter began, offering resolution to past challenges and a chance to employ all I had learned. Every hardship became a steppingstone toward unanticipated achievements and renewed purpose. These experiences underscored the importance of persistence, flexibility, and believing that every setback sets the stage for greater accomplishments. Ultimately, failure is a hurdle rather than a barrier.

Reflecting on my path, I recognize that major achievements usually stem from overcoming failures, and formidable victories come from the endurance we've built while facing adversity. Accepting failure is essential, as it creates the foundation upon which success is constructed. Confronting failure directly opens the door to unexplored potential for success and myriad opportunities.