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

​​​​​​​​