Want to make better choices? Start with two powerful reminders: you will fail, and you will die.

That’s not meant to be morbid. These are uncomfortable truths, but powerful teachers!

In fact, these truths can anchor us in purpose and sharpen our ability to focus on what really matters. When you accept that failure is part of growth, you’re less afraid to take bold action. You learn faster. You adapt. You grow.

Success is actually not growth, it’s merely the evidence of growth. Growth only really happens when we fail and choose to learn and build from that point of failure.

Success itself is often seen as a marker or an outcome, while true growth, which is built on deeper understanding and improved capabilities, occurs during the process of identifying what went wrong in a failure and using that knowledge to get back up and try again. This mindset, known as a growth mindset, embraces challenges and setbacks as opportunities to develop resilience and learn, ultimately leading to greater long-term success.

And when you accept that your time is limited, you stop wasting it.

The Stoics used the phrase memento mori, “remember that you will die”, not to fear death, but to inspire intentional living. The same goes for failing. When you stop avoiding failure or death, you start to embrace life. Fully.

Next time you feel overwhelmed or stuck, remind yourself: you don't need to win every short sprint. You just need to keep moving with purpose.