This week, I’ve been thinking about something we all dodge but can’t escape: mistakes and failures. They sting, no question. But here’s the flip side—every flop is a masterclass in disguise. When you learn from what went wrong, you’re not just recovering; you’re arming yourself for a stronger shot at success next time. Think of it like a chef tweaking a recipe. The first batch of cookies might be too salty or burn to a crisp. Does the chef quit? Nope. They taste the mess, figure out what went off—too much salt, oven too hot—and adjust. The next batch? Closer to perfect. That’s what mistakes do for us. They’re not dead ends; they’re feedback. Every misstep shows you what to tweak, what to double down on, or what to ditch entirely. I’ve had my share of burned cookies. A while back, I launched a project that tanked—hard. I’d poured time and energy into it, but it just didn’t land. At first, I wanted to crawl under a rock. But when I stopped sulking and started dissecting what happened, I saw the holes: unclear goals, rushed planning, ignored red flags. Painful? Sure. But those lessons shaped my next move, and that one? It soared. The failure wasn’t a stop sign—it was a detour to something better. The key is to shift how you see setbacks. Instead of “I blew it,” try “What’s this teaching me?” Break it down: What worked? What didn’t? What’s one thing you’d do differently? That’s where the gold is. Then take that wisdom and aim again. Success isn’t about never falling—it’s about using the fall to build a better ladder. Here’s my challenge for you this week: think of one mistake or failure that’s been nagging at you. Write down one lesson it taught you—something concrete you can use. Then pick one small way to apply it to your next step, whether it’s a new project, a conversation, or a goal. If you’re up for it, reply and share what you learned—I’d love to hear it! Mistakes don’t define you. They refine you. So dust off, learn up, and go get that next win. Justin PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing. If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative. Justin Stephens |
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As we roll into this week, I’ve been thinking about how life is one wild, unpredictable ride. You never know what’s around the next corner—a new opportunity, a tough challenge, or a moment that changes everything. And you know what? That uncertainty is the joy in life. It’s the heartbeat of adventure, and it’s up to us to carry the torch through the highs and lows, letting every twist shape who we become. Life doesn’t hand you a script. One day you’re booking a red-eye to Nashville for a...
Happy 4th of July! As we celebrate this Independence Day, I’ve been reflecting on one of the cornerstones of our freedom: the right to free speech. It’s more than just a line in the Constitution—it’s the heartbeat of what makes our country vibrant, messy, and alive. And today, I want to talk about why the toughest part of free speech—people you don’t like saying things you don’t like—is actually its most vital piece, and why using that freedom to share your own truth is so powerful. The 4th...
This week, I’ve been thinking about something that’s at the heart of everything we do: relationships. Not the fleeting, transactional kind, but the long-term ones—the ones that grow, evolve, and carry us through life’s twists and turns. Building and nurturing those connections, and keeping people in the loop as we journey through life, isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Life moves fast. Between chasing dreams (like my full-time leap into entrepreneurship with this blog and my work with...