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What is failure? This question flows through my mind often.
But let me tell you something real, okay —failure made me who I am.
My life in med school and before I got to med school is/was not easy. Let me express my self in pidgin English. Omo! I suffer... As in suffer wan kill me.
Before I got into Medicine and Surgery, I had more than one failed attempt. My dad looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t quit.” He told me to press on. And I did.
In fact, even after getting admitted, I still wrote another exam. Why? Because I believe in asking until your joy is full. Failure wasn’t my downfall; it became my motivation.
My first attempt taught me about things like catchment areas and how institutions can shift the bar. I wasn’t rejected because I wasn’t good enough. I was rejected because of a system. One school said I was qualified, another rendered me unqualified. You see, failure can sometimes be a setup—not by you, but by people, institutions, or circumstances.
Failing Privately or Publicly: Which Is Easier?
Failing privately, within your circle of love and support, is a chance to reflect, correct, and grow. Public failure, though? That can feel like an earthquake.
Omo! How many times do I need to practice before I can perform a surgery successfully? A lot.
Private failures prepare us. They help us avoid those big, public stumbles, especially when it matters most.
Because on those big days, when all eyes are on you, you don't want to be learning, you want to be shining. And trust me, practice makes perfect.
Have you ever avoided trying something because others might see you fail?
Honestly, I can’t say I’ve avoided things out of fear. I’ve always put my best into whatever I do.
I’m an overcomer. A shining star.
Failure doesn’t weigh me down, it builds me up. I’d rather use my humor and confidence to push forward than let fear win. If anything, fear of failure shows up only as a rare visitor, never a permanent resident.
Do I Care What People Think If I Fail?
Let’s go there.
Sometimes I think about the pool, how many people don’t swim not because they can’t, but because they’re afraid to fail publicly.
But me? I’ve learned that what people think is none of my business.
Big businesses fail in the public eye all the time. And guess what? They don’t stop.
Why should I?
So What Helps Someone Overcome the Fear of Failure?
For me, it’s simple: faith.
I’m a believer. I trust God, not man. He is my path, my anchor, and my hiding place.
Also, I’ve learned to silence those tiny voices that whisper: “You’re not good enough” or “That dream is too big for you.”
No.
You are enough. You can. You will.
Final Thoughts
Failure is not the end, it’s part of the process.
It’s not always fair. It’s not always your fault.
But it can always be used to fuel your rise.
So next time you feel like giving up, remember:
You were never disqualified; just rerouted.
