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How to Confront Failure

Linda Fehrman
· · Updated Jan 16, 2026 · 2 min read
Most people experience failures at some time in their lives. Failures may occur at work, school or in personal relationships. When a person fails at a task, he may feel that he is a failure. Feelings of failure might then progress to low self-esteem or depression.

However, it is possible to confront feelings of failure and regain self-confidence.

 

4 Steps To Confront Failure

Confront Failure

1. Explore What You Would Think İf This Situation Had Happened To Someone Else

You might discover that when you look at the situation this way, it does not seem as bad. Think about others you know who have failed at something in the past, but have maintained their self-confidence.

 

2. Determine What You Could Have Done Differently

If you find that there was nothing you could have done differently, then nothing could have prevented the failure. You might also find that although you could have done some things differently, there is no way you could have known that at the time. Use that information to prevent failure in the future.

 

3. Explore Ways To Learn From Mistakes By Analyzing The Negatives And Positives From The Experience

You might choose to continue the same endeavor, while trying to prevent the mistakes from the past. Alternatively, you might determine that your failure helped you realize that this path was not right for you.

Breakthroughs often occur following failure, so whatever you decide, use your mistakes to move forward and become more successful in the future.

 

4. Think Positively By İdentifying Your Strengths And Focusing On Them

Do not let your failure define who you are as a person. In some cases, it may be difficult to find positives about yourself, especially during very challenging personal situations. However, if you look hard enough, you will find at least one strength.

Focus on it and build new strengths. Tell yourself positive statements such as, "I may have failed, but that does not mean I cannot be successful in the future."

 

You Might Also Like :: How to Improve Self-Confidence at Work

 

How to Confront Failure

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Written by

Linda Fehrman

Linda began writing professionally in 2014. The majority of her work has been published on fitness, health-eating and relationships. Linda is well-versed and passionate about relationships, fitness and health issues.

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