Happy May! In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to want to be at the finish line at the snap of a finger. When this doesn’t happen, giving up may cloud your thoughts. Everyone wants to be successful, but the reality is the road to success has many twists, turns, and bumps that can discourage you. Give yourself credit for your every little success along the way while keeping your eyes on your ultimate goal. Climb one step at a time to get there.
A Few Examples of People Who Failed and Succeeded

- One of the greatest fighters of all time, Muhammad Ali, lost 5 fights in his career. You can’t win them all, but you can keep moving forward.
- Usain Bolt was eliminated in the first round of the 200 meters race in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He came back in 2008 to win 3 gold medals.
- Dr. Seuss was rejected by 27 publishers before his first book sold.
- Jewel was homeless before she made it in the music industry.
- (There are MANY more examples.)
Jy’s Rock Climbing Analogy
As many of you know, my son, Jy, suffered from encephalitis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome at the end of 2015. He attended a Boy Scout Camp over the weekend. A year ago, he participated in the camp four months after he had left the hospital. I checked on him at camp several times because he struggled with his emotions and communicating with others. Last year, every time I saw him, he was crying for something. One time, he was trying to climb a rock mountain. He got on the mountain and started crying. He is usually my dare devil. He was so scared. He forgot how to do it. He only made it a couple of steps up the mountain because he let his fear get to him. He had no confidence that he could climb the mountain. He was very upset and cried a ton.
This year, Jy came home from scout camp, and I asked him how it went. The first thing he said was that he climbed all the way to the top of the mountain! He stated that he got scared at a quarter of the way up the mountain. He wanted to cry and quit. The scout leaders on the ground told him to just come back down. Jy said that he didn’t want to give up. He convinced himself to keep going. He was so proud to reach the top!
How Is Your Climb Up the Rock Mountain?
Jy’s climb up the rock reminded me of trials in life in general. The goal is to reach the top of the mountain. You can imagine any goal waiting for you at the top. From the ground, it seems so far away. You start making your way up the mountain, but your head tells you it’s hard. Your arms or legs may shake. “Just give up,” says your evil head again. Then, more negativity creeps in (if you let it). “I’m not strong enough to climb up this mountain.” “I need more experience.” “What if I fall (or fail)?”
In life, we tend to climb up a mountain over and over again with different goals and trials. With Jy, I told him to remember how far he had come from last year. Each time you face a mountain, remember how far you have come since the last time you tried to tackle a mountain. Give yourself credit for where you are at today. Additionally, with each new foothold, you use to get up the mountain, give yourself credit. We don’t always reach the top of every mountain we climb, but we will become stronger and wiser every time we try to reach the top.
Whatever trials or goals you are facing, you are not alone. Remember Jy. Do better today than what you could do yesterday. Be grateful for how far you have come.
Now, get out of here and go climb your mountain! I’m cheering you on! ❤️

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Let’s connect ❤️:
It’s funny how I’ve come across this on a day when I’m at a low and feeling hopeless. Thank you for posting – such great words!! I do need to remember how far I’ve come, and that we do get stronger each time 🙂 xx
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I think sometimes through the law of attraction, energy, your thoughts, the Almighty, fate, or however you may see it, we “bump” into exactly what we need to see for the day. I’m so grateful that my words could help you today. It means a lot to me. You have come far, and you have more to accomplish. Keep pushing!! ❤️
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You truly are an inspiration 🙂 x
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Thank you! I’ve been through a lot and have learned a lot. I hope I can share just a little. ❤️
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When you are really committed to achieve whatever it is you want in life…always give your utmost effort…perseverance…fullfilment…courage…
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Lynette,
I love your words of encouragement. They are so true when you are trying to achieve something big. It takes courage too. Thank you.
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Another example would be Albert Einstein who failed 10,000 times.
I’m so proud of you, bro @ Jy. You did good.
This is truly the best inspirational piece I have seen today. Hurray Sunshine is cheering me!! 😀
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Ooh, I love Albert Einstein! Yes! Great example! Thank you, Jainey!!!
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Always welcome, Sunshine 😉
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☀️
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I need to remind myself this even if I haven’t gone very far…😂
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We grow every day, so you are moving! ❤️
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“can’t never could” is a mantra my Grandfather would say when ever anyone said I can’t. I use to think, what does that mean, can’t never could but it sunk in as I got older. Those “ah-ha” moments. Falling down is how we learn to walk 🙂 That should teach us something right there 🙂
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Yes. Falling down is how we learn to walk.Very true! “Can’t never could!” I’ve never heard of that. It’s simple but deep. I love it. Thank you for sharing!
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It’s always inspiring to hear about Jy, and his mountain is a great metaphor for life. Sometimes we focus on our failures, which as you point out are inevitable, instead of celebrating our successes no matter how small, which I suggest are always there in some form or another. Thanks for the words, Ipuna.
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Jy man is a great motivator! Yes! Celebrate our successes and keep moving forward! Thanks, John!
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It’s not how far you’ve come but how far you can go. Kudos to your kid. An inspirational post! ❤
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Thank you, Sadaf. We are all on a journey to improve.
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This is part of what I always preach, which I always practice. We must celebrate our little wins while working towards the greater ones, knowing that there is no little achievement. When we are grateful to ourselves, we will be happier and stay motivated to achieve greater success.
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YEAH! to all of your words. You summed up my post. Thank you! I appreciate your insightful comment as always, Ajibola.
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Excellent infographic, Ipuna. Super advice as well.
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Thank you, John!
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Thank you, Ipuna! This post was exactly what I needed today.
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I’m so glad you found it helpful, Altea!. 🙂
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You always have amazing, positive posts! Thank you! I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award in my latest post. :-*
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I’ll check out your post. Thank you very much!!! 😍❤️
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Oh, what a LOVELY and inspiring post, Ipuna! Thank you so much for this — you truly know how to encourage people and make their day. ❤
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Thank you, May! I hope my little words help. I truly appreciate it. ❤️
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I’m suddenly reminded of J.K. Rowling, whose first Harry Potter book was rejected by several publishers before Bloomberg published it and it became a big hit! Even after that, submissions under her alter ego Robert Galbraith were also rejected by publishers (who even told her to take a writing course!) before she went on to publish several more books. Definitely a great example of failures before success. 😀
Jy is really such an inspiration! Thanks for this great post; it comes at the right time for me, because I’m currently working on the paperwork to move overseas (probably a year from now) and I can’t help but to be scared. 😅 But as my dependable husband rightly said, we’re on “easy mode” because I already have a citizenship there (perks of being born overseas 🙂) and his sister is already raising a family there (so we’d have support), compared to some people who just up and move overseas with nothing. So rather than thinking I can’t do it, I should think I can! 💪🏻
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Oh, Nicolle! That’s tough, but you will get through it and explore many new things. Keep us posted on the move. Thanks for your comment. Jy is great :). I learn from him all the time.
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Thanks, and hope the paperwork goes well! 😀
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Thank you!
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Such an inspiring post…really loved this 🙂
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Thank you. ❤️
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I don’t know what to say, about this post, so I quickly jolting down, since I have to go and fight my way to the top of mountain:
1) Love to see Jj, and plus the full of life picture. His face is speaking for itself. He is full of energy, passion and will.
2) I am a Tim Ferriss fan, so glad to see someone at my end knows him too.
3) I am facing the same issue at my end, I am standing in the middle of the ocean. I didn’t know how to swim, don’t want to swim, but still have to swim to keep afloat. So this post for me is full of motivation to keep going and going and going.
Thank you for inspiring me. ❤
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YES! Swim, swim, swim! We need people around us to support us in our journey of life. Thanks for your support, and I’m cheering you on as well!!!
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My pleasure, and same to you 🙂
Sorry for the late reply, I had loads of meetings, just came home back.
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And sorry I forgot one thing, thanks for stopping by at my end. It’s difficult to track post. So when you liked I said go and check any new post. So thanks you again.
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It is hard keeping up with posts and comments. You are doing amazing. We do our best, right?
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Yes I have 4 awards lined to post, plus someone asked me to be a guest writer. I didn’t get the time to write it down. Tomorrow I have to travel as well. So hope for the best 🙂
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Save travels. Good for you for being ahead on your posts and congrats on the awards!
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Thanks in advance, yes we came back same day after driving for 900 km, it was such a good trip. Made me relax although I was the only driving. But I need a break.
Well I am trying to float as much as possible.
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Long drive! Take a break. Hopefully, this week is more relaxing.
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Love this article! !
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Thank you, Karen! ❤️O
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This is so motivating! Thank you Ipuna for this wonderful piece. It just uplifted and boosted my energy and confidence !
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A helpful post!…Excellent infographic, Ipuna. Super counsel as well..This post was precisely what I required today…
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I’m glad you found it to be helpful. ☀️
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I’m so happy to hear that about Jy! That’s really wonderful! Yes expect you might fail, then assess a different angle–sometimes that jus means wait for tomorrow.
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Yes! And thank you on Jy. ❤️
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Reblogged this on Brainy Versatility.
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Awesome
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Thank you!
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Reading this piece gives a lot of kick, I have feeling so low about myself lately 😐 As if I could do so much more but I have not been able to achieve anything in life….Thanks for sharing this one
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I’m so glad you got something out of this post. I think we do more than we give ourselves credit for. You have a blog! That is an accomplishment in itself.
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This is so motivating!! Go Jy! Your posts always make me feel ready to do something amazing so thank you!! 😊❤
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Awe. Thank you! That makes me happy. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I hope to inspire others to go get everything that they want. 🙂❤️
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That’s amazing,I think you definitely inspire others,me included! 😊❤
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😍❤️
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