It has been a slow first half of the year for me in music business. I do try to keep myself busy, but it has been hard to avoid having some serious conversations with myself about failure, aka “the forbidden word of contemporary times”.

Failure has become a sin, a bad word that we shy away from in conversation. It carries a heavy weight in our craving-for-quick-results society, where success is relentlessly celebrated and expected at every turn. But the obsession with immediate gratification leaves little room for the valuable lessons that come from stumbling and falling short.

Although the idea of what does it mean to be a hit or a failure is hard to describe, we all know how does failure feels. Even the mere possibility of it lurks in the corners of our ambitions, feeding on our fears and insecurities, often making us hesitant to dream big or pursue our passions wholeheartedly.

Yet, in those open-hearted talks with myself, I have come to realize that failure is not an end but rather a crucial part of the journey toward success.

The first positive side of failure is that it only comes to those who have tried. and trying is always better than having the question “what would have happened if I had…” constantly haunting you. It also teaches you resilience, reveals character, and provides invaluable lessons that may foster growth and personal development, if you let it happen.

But, maybe the most important thing about failure is that it provides a very good scale for your passion. How so? Well, I believe we all agree that failure is not something pleasant. It hurts the ego, it brings you confusion and disappointment, but that said, how hard you want to give your passion a second try?

If despite the bad experience and even without any security that things will work out the next time, even though you want to try it again, then there is no doubt you are dealing with something very important to you, something that you simply cannot do without, your true vocation if you will. In short: you are a person with a quest, and the way I see it, people with quests are the best.

The world is a mess and if your are willing to go through all the trouble (possible failure included) it is because of a calling, and that is huge! So huge that the ups and downs will be part of your way, but they will not affect the core of what you do.

When you manage to see obstacles as essential experiences, fluctuations will not affect the essence of what you do. Your commitment remains unwavering, like a compass, steady and free from the shackles of societal expectations.

Sure we all think about quitting here and then. Sure we all need a little help here and there. And sure, we might come to the conclusion that maybe it is time to finish a chapter when the weight of our struggles feels unbearable. However, it is crucial to remember that under no circumstances should one take a drastic decision based on a singular failure, as mistakes are often stepping stones to growth and success.

Instead of letting temporary setbacks define our path, embrace then (as graceful as you can) and let them lead you to a more profound understanding of what it means to persevere and truly strive for a goal.

Be seeing you,

G.F.