When It Looks Like I Have Failed

Failure does not mean I’m a failure;
It does mean I have not yet succeeded.

Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure does not mean I have been a fool;
It does mean I have enough faith to experiment.

Failure does not mean I have been disgraced;
It does mean I dared to try.

Failure does not mean I don’t have it;
It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure does not mean I am inferior;
It does mean I’m not perfect.

Failure does not mean I have wasted my time;
It does mean I have an excuse to start over.

Failure does not mean I should give up;
It does mean I should try harder.

Failure does not mean I’ll never make it;
It does mean I need more patience.

Failure does not mean [God has] abandoned me;
It does mean [God] must have a better idea.

–John Maxwell, from The Winning Attitude