Do Failures Lead to Success?

The Oxford Dictionary defines failure as a “lack of success,” but is that really accurate? To achieve success, there must be some failure along the way. However, if you don’t learn from your failures, you won’t succeed. So how does failure lead to success? 

Bluefield University students Chloe Lester, Evan Matlick, and Macy McBride were asked how their failures have led to success. Hopefully, their stories will make people reconsider how they think about failure. 

McBride shared her testimony on how her failures have led to success, particularly how not getting into her “dream school” turned out to be a blessing.

“The most impactful failure that I can remember is getting waitlisted at Wake Forest University,” McBride said. “It was really hard for me to accept that I did not get automatically accepted, especially since it was my dream school. However, due to that ‘negative’ thing that happened, I was able to come to Bluefield University, play my lifelong sport of soccer, and meet so many new and amazing people.” 

Based on her experience, McBride said her advice to those who believe failure is only a negative thing is to reconsider their perspective.

“God might close one door, but he always has another door, or a greater plan for you to follow,” McBride said. “It might seem draining and upsetting about that failure, but instead of focusing on the small things, we need to take a step back and look at the greater picture.” 

Matlick also shared how his failures have led to success. A senior member of the Bluefield University golf team, Matlick said golf has “an incredible knack for teaching people how to deal with failure.”

“Every shot you approach in the game leads you to a new opportunity, and the best players out there have the shortest memories,” Matlick said. “Forgetting about your disappointment in an underwhelming performance is the most important trait a person can have in golf and life.”

Matlick added that he once viewed failures as negatives, but now sees them more as “speed-bumps” on the way to success. 

Lester, who used to be a West Virginia University student, transferred to BU last fall because she said there was “no success” for her at WVU.

“I was really heartbroken at first leaving WVU,” she said. “I really wanted it to work out. I thought that coming home was showing I was a setback, a failure. Little did I know the benefits that would come from it. I’m healthier, happier, receiving a better education, and surrounded by love.” 

After one semester at BU, Lester now has a better grade point average and a better understanding of her major, and she has been more focused on herself and her future. Lester also shared her testimony of falling into a dark place while at WVU with drugs and alcohol. However, since attending BU, she now practices sobriety, is much closer to her family, and has made genuine friends. She also found her relationship with God.

“If things don’t work out,” she said, “it’s not in God’s plan.”