“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” These words are widely attributed to Michael Jordan, one of the most iconic figures in the history of sports, regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
There are statements that sound simple on the surface yet carry the weight of entire philosophies. “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” This is one of those rare declarations that capture the essence of human progress, resilience, and character. It reminds us that our greatest enemy is not failure itself, but the paralysis that comes from fear, hesitation, and self-doubt.
Failure is a universal language. Every human being, regardless of age, status, or background, has encountered it in one form or another. We have failed at exams, relationships, opportunities, ambitions, and even simple daily tasks. Failure is not reserved for the weak or the unprepared; it is built into the process of growth. When a child is learning to walk, they stumble long before they take their first confident step. When a student is mastering a new concept, confusion precedes understanding. When a young professional enters the working world, they are more likely to make mistakes before mastering their craft. Failure, therefore, is not an indictment of one’s ability – it is a natural stage in discovering it.
What is tragic is not the act of failing but the refusal to attempt. Many people live entire lives imprisoned by the fear of what could go wrong. They choke on silent dreams, never spoken out loud because failure seems too embarrassing, too painful, too shameful. But that is the greatest loss. Failing means you tried. It means you dared. It means you stepped out of the comfort zone and confronted possibility. Not trying means you surrendered before the journey even began. It means potential went untested, dreams went unpursued, and talents remained buried.
Trying is an act of courage – a declaration that the outcome may be uncertain, but the effort is worth it. It is an affirmation that greatness is found not in guarantees but in grit. Every successful person, every achiever, every icon in any discipline shares one trait: they tried. They attempted something that others found too difficult, too risky, or too uncertain. They stepped forward while others stood still. They leaned into discomfort while others avoided it.
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The world we admire today – its inventions, its technology, its art, its philosophies – is built on the bricks of countless attempts, many of which failed before succeeding. Thomas Edison famously made thousands of failed attempts before discovering a working light bulb filament. J. K. Rowling faced multiple rejections before Harry Potter saw the light of day. The Wright brothers crashed prototype after prototype before finally lifting a plane off the ground. These stories remind us that progress is rarely linear. Behind every triumph lies a trail of failed experiments, painful lessons, and moments of self-doubt.
But what separates the successful from the stagnant is not the absence of failure but the refusal to let it define them. They understood that failure is feedback, not finality. Each attempt, whether successful or not, sharpens ability, strengthens character, and deepens understanding. Not trying, however, gives nothing. It denies the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to rise.
On a more personal level, this principle challenges how we navigate our own lives. Many of us dream in silence – about careers we want to pursue, businesses we want to start, relationships we want to build, or talents we want to explore. But dreams demand action. Vision without effort is simply fantasy. Trying is the bridge between aspiration and achievement. It is the moment when desire becomes motion.
Being willing to try also nurtures self-respect. When you take a step – even a small one – toward something you believe in, you affirm your worth and potential. You prove to yourself that you are not a passive observer of your life but an active participant shaping its direction. That confidence cannot be given by success alone; it is built through consistent effort, even when the result is uncertain.
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Yet trying requires vulnerability. It means opening yourself to criticism, to rejection, to disappointment. That vulnerability is uncomfortable, but it is also beautifully human. It is the price of growth. When you decide that not trying is worse than failing, you free yourself from the fear of judgment and allow authenticity to lead your life.
Ultimately, this philosophy resonates because it is rooted in honesty. It acknowledges that failure hurts – but stagnation hurts more. It recognizes that effort is not always rewarded immediately, but inaction guarantees nothing. It invites us to give ourselves permission to take chances, to be imperfect, and to learn.
As you reflect on your own journey, ask yourself: What have I been too afraid to try? What dream have I silenced? What opportunity have I postponed? If failure is acceptable and not trying is not, then the call is clear – take the first step. Even if you stumble, you will be further along than you were yesterday.
Trying is the ultimate act of hope. It is the strongest sign that you believe life can be better, that you can be better, and that the world still holds room for your contribution. Trying means you respect your potential enough to test it. And with every attempt, whether successful or not, you move closer to the person you are meant to become.
So embrace the attempt. Make the move. Take the risk. Fail if you must – but do not stand still. For in the end, it is not failure that defines you, but the courage to try.
By Ashford Kimani
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and serves as Dean of Studies.
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