How can failing be a sign of success?

 

Setting the stage…

Now, onto the adventure. It all began with a whimsical idea – could LP swap my long car rides for a bike odyssey? A challenge not just of distance, but of resilience and reinvention. And so, armed with determination and a touch of audacity, I set out on a 900km+ solo journey from Chelsea, Quebec, to Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick. But as they say, the best-laid plans often go awry. Tornado warnings, muddy trails, and an unexpected knee twinge threw me off course, forcing me to confront the reality of my limitations. Yet, amidst the setbacks and the pain, there was a quiet strength – a reminder that failure is not the end, but a part of the journey.  

Why is failing useful?

Like many of us in search of adventure, I enjoy learning and keeping a beginner’s mindset. This bike adventure fitted the bill perfectly. Having a crash course in adventuring by bike reinforced his desire to mature as a cyclist and learn of the pressure of lived-in experience… A lot of people have a “fear of failing” but I would humbly like to propose that we can embrace failing to have a maturing mindset… failing makes me a better husband, dad, therapist, etc. If, I keep a humble heart and an openness to new experiences. Failing to reach my original destination opened up an opportunity to learn, encourage others, and apply my new knowledge to many areas of my life. If you like concrete implementation here’s my acronym of how to learn from F-A-I-L-U-R-E: FOCUS: Maintain focus on your goals and priorities throughout the journey. ADAPT: Embrace adaptability and flexibility when facing unexpected challenges or changes.

IMPROVE: Focus on making small, continuous improvements. This approach,  also named Kaizen, can lead to significant progress over time.

LEARN: View failures as opportunities for learning and growth. UNDERSTAND: Seek to understand the root causes of setbacks and failures to address them effectively. RENEW: Renew your perspective and link it to your purpose. ENDURANCE: Build endurance, both physically and mentally, to overcome obstacles and persevere through difficult times. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t stretch my comfort zone intentionally and discover new facets of myself through cycling and life. Facing my failure to reach my destination did sting initially… but taking stock and using the FAILURE acronym provided a much-needed perspective and plan for the next adventure. I may not have reached my intended destination, but I found something far more valuable – the resilience to face adversity with grace, and the courage to redefine success on my own terms. So, why does an average cyclist's story matter? Because within the twists and turns of gravel roads lies a universal truth – that in the pursuit of our passions, we find not just miles travelled, but moments cherished, failures embraced, and resilience forged.

Be sure to give LP a follow. You can find him on Instagram at lplandry_overcomecafe and www.overcomecafe.com