Tip to Stand Out #36: Own Your Failures (and Share the Lessons)

Hey Friends,

Most people try to hide their failures.

• They downplay mistakes.

• They only share the highlight reel.

• They fear that admitting failure will make them look weak.

But the ones who stand out? They own their failures—and share the lessons.

Because here’s the truth:

✔ People don’t trust perfection.
✔ They trust those who are real, honest, and willing to grow.
✔ The best leaders turn their failures into wisdom.

Core Lesson:

Failure doesn’t define you.

How you respond to failure does.

When you own your failures, you:
✔ Build trust—people respect honesty.
✔ Inspire others by showing them it’s okay to fail.
✔ Turn setbacks into stepping stones for success.

Actionable Steps to Own Your Failures and Share the Lessons:

1. Talk About a Past Mistake Openly

   • Don’t sugarcoat it—share exactly what happened.

   • Be honest about the challenges, emotions, and consequences.

2. Focus on the Lesson, Not the Excuse

   • Avoid blaming others—take responsibility.

   • Ask yourself: “What did I learn that others can benefit from?”

3. Share How You Bounced Back

   • People don’t just want to hear about the failure—they want to know how you recovered.

   • Show that failure is a step forward, not the end.

4. Use Your Story to Help Others Avoid the Same Mistakes

   • Sharing failure isn’t about venting—it’s about giving value.

   • Offer practical insights that others can apply to their own lives.

Real-World Example:

Think of Elon Musk.

• He was fired from his own company (Zip2) and almost lost Tesla and SpaceX.

• In 2008, both companies were on the verge of collapse—he had to borrow money just to survive.

• Instead of quitting, he took responsibility, pivoted strategies, and kept pushing forward.

• Today, Tesla and SpaceX are worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Musk’s story isn’t just about success—it’s about relentless perseverance.

Call to Action:

Think about a time you failed.

✔ What happened?
✔ What lesson did you learn?
✔ How can sharing it help someone else?

Reply to this email and tell me: What’s one failure that made you stronger?

Everyone fails.

The ones who own it, learn from it, and share their lessons?

They’re the ones who truly stand out.