When Disappointment Becomes the Teacher
Today was rough.
I set a monthly goal on my journey to run 1500m faster at 50 than I did at 16. The target was clear, the math simple. And I missed it.
The first feeling? Gutted. No sugar-coating. No “at least you tried.” Just the sting of failing.
But here’s the truth: failure only wins if you refuse to process it.
That’s why I use a simple 4-step framework whenever I fall short:
The Facts — What actually happened?
The Wrong — Where did I fail? What choices undermined me?
The Right — What still went well, even in disappointment?
The Next Step — What’s the new path forward?
For me, the facts are simple: I ran faster than last month, but not fast enough.
Where I went wrong? Poor preparation. Poor self-care. Letting myself slow down when it hurt.
Where I went right? I kept going. I learned.
And the next step? I’m not lowering the standard. I’m raising it. Six minutes flat next month.
Because here’s what I believe:
👉 Small goals don’t change your life.
👉 Pain can be turned into fuel.
👉 And disappointment, if processed, is the best teacher you’ll ever have.
So let me ask you when you fail, what’s your process? Do you stay down, or do you use the pain to rise stronger?
