EKAITZ SAIES

I find it interesting that even in the world of science, where objectivity is paramount, the majority of published research highlights positive results. Studies that fail to prove a hypothesis or that encounter unexpected outcomes often remain unseen, tucked away in drawers rather than shared with the wider community. This tendency reflects a broader societal discomfort with failure, a reluctance to acknowledge it as a natural and valuable part of any meaningful endeavour.

The same dynamic is often seen in high performance sport. Victory and records are celebrated, while defeats and disappointments are quickly forgotten or brushed aside. Yet, if you listen closely to the world’s best athletes, you will often hear them speak of how much they have learnt from their losses; how those moments of heartbreak and setback were the very crucibles that forged their resilience, sharpened their focus, and fuelled their eventual triumphs.

In truth, losing and failing are not signs of weakness or inadequacy; rather, they are essential elements of any process of growth and improvement. We ought to treat them as such.

Failure, when embraced with the right mindset, becomes one of our greatest teachers. Each setback reveals valuable lessons that success alone could never offer. It sharpens our resilience, deepens our understanding, and forces us to confront our limitations, ultimately pushing us beyond them. Without moments of failure, genuine progress would be impossible.

Similarly, experiencing loss reminds us that we are not infallible. It fosters humility, builds empathy, and strengthens character. It is through the experience of losing that we learn the value of perseverance, the importance of preparation, and the courage required to try again.

Rather than shying away from these experiences or treating them with shame, we should welcome them as integral to our journey. Every misstep and defeat contains the seeds of future success, but only if we are willing to acknowledge them, learn from them, and continue moving forward.

Growth is rarely linear. It is a messy, often uncomfortable process filled with challenges and hard lessons. By accepting loss and failure as natural and necessary, we give ourselves permission to fully engage with the process of improvement, without fear holding us back.

In the end, it is not the absence of failure that defines us, but our response to it. Let us treat each setback not as the end, but as a vital and powerful beginning.