Failure, often perceived as an obstacle, is in reality a powerful force for personal transformation. It is through moments of difficulty and defeat that we learn the most profound and important lessons about ourselves and about life. Failure pushes us out of our comfort zone, makes us reflect on our past actions and re-evaluate our strategies. By taking bold actions to overcome our failures, we unleash our hidden potential and discover unsuspected strengths within ourselves. In this way, failure becomes not only an inevitable but also a necessary step on the road to success and fulfilment. It's often the starting point of a great metamorphosis that reveals the lion spirit in us that we didn't know we had. Failure does much more than that; it is a trigger that enables us to break through the barriers of mediocrity to reach the level of excellence that we only dream about in our distant dreams.
On Saturday 19th October in Abidjan, as part of his ongoing world tour, Dr Raoul Ruben, Chairman & Founder of Academy Twenty One, led an extraordinary A21 ORIENTATION against a backdrop of a detailed description of values such as money, power, prestige, glory and, above all, failure and its place in the success of any individual. What emerged was that failure shapes us to the extent of our understanding of the concept, and above all in terms of the resilience it can instill in us. This brilliant conference was developed by this organisation's strong leaders, who did not fail to highlight their humble beginnings and the resilience and strength of spirit they have shown to be what they are today. From this great mass of personal transformation, we were able to learn 05 fundamental lessons that failure can teach us if we are willing to listen. These lessons are as follows:
1- Failure creates in us the hero of our generation.
Failure, while uncomfortable, builds character. Every generation has its heroes, those who dared to take risks, fail and get back up stronger. When we face setbacks, we are faced with a decision: to stay down or to get back up with more determination. That's when failure becomes a transformative force. It teaches us perseverance and endurance, qualities that are essential if we are to have a positive influence on our times and inspire prosperity
In a world where success is often glorified, the true hero is the one who is not afraid to fall, but who, after each fall, gets back up with more wisdom and experience. By going through these trials, we inspire others to follow our example, creating models of resilience for future generations. Failure, far from being an end or an inevitability, is actually the beginning of a journey towards greatness, and it is the driving force that makes us the heroes capable of transforming our environments and impacting our times.
2- Failure awakens the lion spirit in us.
Failure awakens a primal instinct in us, that of survival and fighting spirit, often symbolised by the lion spirit. In the face of adversity, this spirit manifests itself in the form of courage, determination and daring. The lion, king of the jungle, is renowned for its strength and leadership, but it does not dominate without facing constant challenges. In the same way, failure forces us to draw on inner resources that we often didn't know we possessed. It awakens a raw strength, a will to never give up. When we fail, the temptation to withdraw is great, but those who embrace failure as an opportunity for renewal reveal that lion spirit, ready to fight for every future success. By overcoming difficulties with this mentality, we become unshakeable in the face of future challenges, ready to seize every opportunity with the ferocious confidence of a predator on the hunt.
3- Failure allows us to create our own scale of values.
Failure is a process of deconstructing external expectations and rebuilding internal priorities. When everything seems to be falling apart, we are forced to reconsider what is really important to us. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we establish our own scale of value, determining what really deserves our attention and our efforts. Failure frees us from the standards imposed by society, pushing us to define our own criteria for success. This can mean that what we thought was success, promotion or external recognition is transformed into a more personal goal, such as fulfilling our passions or blossoming in our relationships. By creating this unique scale of values, we find a more authentic and meaningful path for ourselves, based not on external validation but on our deepest aspirations. Failure then becomes a guide that helps us redefine our priorities and pursue what makes us truly happy.
4- Failure stimulates our desire for power and greatness.
Far from weakening us, failure often awakens in us a greater desire to overcome obstacles and achieve great things. It highlights our weaknesses, but it is precisely by identifying them that we can transform them.
This realisation stimulates our desire to prove to ourselves and to others that we are capable of overcoming any adversity. Failure pushes us to dream bigger, not to settle for half measures. It fuels our thirst for success, no longer as a simple aspiration, but as a visceral necessity. When we fail, we realise that life is a series of tests, and each failure becomes a springboard to bring us closer to our maximum potential. This will to power lies not just in the acquisition of material goods or prestige, but in the ability to persevere, to renew ourselves and to transform our defeats into resounding victories.
5- Failure reveals our humanity and teaches us humility and resilience.
Failure brings us back to the essence of our human condition. It reminds us that we are fallible, that perfection is a myth and that true strength lies in accepting our limits. It is in this space of vulnerability that we learn humility. In the face of failure, pride disappears and we are forced to recognise that we are not in control of everything. This realisation is essential, because it allows us to learn not only from our mistakes, but also from others. The humility that comes from failure opens the door to resilience, the ability to get back up after every fall. More than anything else, failure shows us that life is made up of cycles, of ups and downs, and that our value lies not in never failing, but in our ability to bounce back. By integrating these lessons, we develop an inner strength that transcends our trials and allows us to continue our journey with greater wisdom and a calmer heart.
Like a beacon in the dark, these words full of wisdom and life echoed in the hearts of every participant in this uplifting programme as irrefutable truth. It was like an autopsy of our daily reality, designed to protect us all from the dangers of failure, but also and above all to help us recognise that failure is an inevitable part of becoming the best version of ourselves and having an impact on the world. A step, even if it doesn't take us to our desired destination, at least moves us from our initial position.
