Failure Is The Universal Path To Success

The Evidence is Clear—Keep Going

When you think about success, it’s easy to focus on the highlights—the end results, the triumphs. But behind every victory lies a mountain of failure. The truth is, most efforts fail.

Most seeds don’t grow. Most dreams don’t pan out right away. Yet it’s those few that remain that change everything.

Look at the stories of resilience:

People

Thomas Edison:

Failed over 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. Despite the setbacks, his perseverance sparked the modern era of electricity, illuminating billions of homes worldwide and transforming how we live.

J.K. Rowling:

Rejected by 12 publishers before Harry Potter was accepted. Her persistence led to a global empire worth over $11 billion, inspiring generations through books, films, and theme parks.

Michael Jordan:

Missed over 9,000 shots in his career and failed 26 game-winning attempts. His relentless drive earned him 6 NBA Championships, making him a basketball legend.

The Beatles:

Turned down by Decca Records, who said, “Guitar bands are on their way out.” Despite rejection, they sold over 1.6 billion records, revolutionizing music and culture.

Colonel Sanders (KFC):

Rejected 1,009 times while pitching his fried chicken recipe. His determination built KFC, which now serves over 2 billion meals annually across 145 countries.

Walt Disney:

Fired from his first job for "lacking creativity." He created a $203 billion empire with 12 theme parks, countless animated classics, and a legacy that defines childhood joy.

Henry Ford:

Bankrupted 5 times before revolutionizing transportation with the assembly line. His company produced 15 million Model Ts, making automobiles accessible to the masses.

Steven Spielberg:

Rejected by USC’s film school 3 times, yet he became one of the most influential filmmakers. His movies have grossed over $10 billion, shaping global cinema.

Howard Schultz (Starbucks):

Denied by 200 banks while seeking funding for Starbucks. Today, his vision has created 37,000 stores worldwide, redefining how we enjoy coffee.

Oprah Winfrey:

Fired from her first TV job and labeled "unfit for television." She rose to create a $2.5 billion empire, becoming an icon of media and philanthropy.

Albert Einstein:

Struggled academically and had his PhD thesis rejected twice. His persistence led to breakthroughs in physics, earning him the 1921 Nobel Prize and reshaping our understanding of the universe.

James Dyson:

Built 5,126 prototypes before his vacuum design succeeded. His company now generates over $7 billion annually, revolutionizing home appliances.

Fred Smith (FedEx):

Received a C grade on his college paper outlining FedEx’s concept. Now, FedEx ships over 15 million packages daily, becoming a logistics powerhouse.

Sylvester Stallone:

Rejected by over 1,500 agents and nearly went bankrupt. Wrote Rocky when he had $106 in his bank account, and it grossed $225 million, winning 3 Oscars.

Jack Ma (Alibaba):

Rejected by 30 companies and failed to get jobs at KFC and the police force. Built Alibaba, now valued at $230 billion, dominating global e-commerce.

Elvis Presley:

Told by his first manager to quit music. Despite rejection, he sold over 500 million records, becoming the King of Rock and Roll.

Soichiro Honda:

Denied a job at Toyota and faced factory bombings during WWII. Honda Motors now produces 15 million engines annually and is a global leader in automotive innovation.

Vincent van Gogh:

Sold only 1 painting during his lifetime. His relentless creativity produced works now valued at over $100 million each, influencing art for generations.

Richard Branson:

His first business venture failed. Today, Virgin Group includes 400 companies, spanning industries like airlines, music, and space travel.

Harlan Ellison (Writer):

Rejected over 1,000 times before publishing his first story. He became a legendary sci-fi author, inspiring writers and readers alike.

Nature

Oak Trees:

Drop over 10,000 acorns annually, yet only 0.1% grow into trees. These few sustain entire forests, providing oxygen, habitats, and biodiversity.

Sea Turtles:

A female lays 1,000 eggs in her lifetime, but only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. These resilient few stabilize marine ecosystems and control jellyfish populations.

Salmon Migration:

A female salmon lays 4,000 eggs, but fewer than 2 adults return to spawn. These survivors nourish forests and predators, maintaining entire ecosystems.

Cicadas:

Emerge in millions after 13–17 years underground. Only 0.01% reproduce, yet they aerate soil, feed ecosystems, and ensure species survival.

Honeybees:

Queens lay 2,000 eggs daily, but only 1 queen survives per hive. This single queen ensures the pollination of 75% of global crops.

Bamboo Seeds:

Dormant for 50–120 years, they regenerate entire forests in weeks, providing habitats and preventing erosion.

Bird Migration:

Songbirds travel thousands of miles, but only 20% survive their first journey. These survivors disperse seeds and control insect populations.

Coral Reefs:

Coral release millions of eggs, but fewer than 1% grow into reefs. These few sustain 25% of marine life and protect coastlines.

Pine Trees:

Produce 100,000 seeds annually, but only 0.1% germinate. These resilient survivors form forests critical for carbon storage and climate regulation.

Sequoias:

Release millions of seeds, but only those exposed to fire (less than 1%) germinate. These giants live for millennia, anchoring ecosystems.

Raindrops and Aquifers:

Of 100 raindrops, only 10% replenish underground aquifers. These few sustain rivers, agriculture, and drinking water for billions.

Desert Seeds:

Lie dormant for decades, waiting for rain. The few that sprout sustain entire arid ecosystems, stabilizing the soil and supporting wildlife.

Polar Bears:

Cubs have a 50% survival rate. Those that endure sustain predator-prey balance in Arctic ecosystems.

Dragonflies:

Lay hundreds of eggs, but only 1% reach adulthood. Survivors control mosquito populations, preventing disease and aiding pollination.

Fireflies:

Produce thousands of eggs, yet only 1% mature. Their glow sustains ecosystems by attracting mates and supporting biodiversity.

Plankton:

Billions are born daily, but fewer than 0.01% survive. These microscopic survivors fuel oceanic food webs.

Deep-Sea Fish:

Lay millions of eggs, yet less than 0.1% survive harsh conditions. These few play critical roles in sustaining deep-sea ecosystems.

Failure isn’t a barrier—it’s the process.

Every failure teaches you something. Every stumble refines your efforts. And every loss sets the stage for the win that will overshadow all of it. Edison didn’t stop at 999 failures, and an oak doesn’t quit dropping acorns. Why would you stop now?

I’ve written more about this in my latest post. If this resonates, I’d love for you to read it and remind yourself why your efforts—failures included—are part of something bigger. You can check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNnpLBZ9r/

I also included the poem below.

Keep going. You’re closer than you think.

Here are some bonus examples of this law in motion:

Space, Earth, and the Hidden Miracles of Resilience

The Sun:

Every second, the Sun fuses 600 million tons of hydrogen, converting only a fraction into the light and energy that sustains life on Earth. The rest dissipates into space, but that small percentage supports 8.7 million species on this planet.

Stars in the Universe:

The Milky Way contains over 100 billion stars, yet fewer than 10% have planetary systems, and even fewer host conditions for life. Our Sun, one among billions, powers everything we know.

Earth’s Atmosphere:

The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace gases like carbon dioxide (0.04%). Despite being a fraction, that CO2 sustains plant life and maintains the balance needed for survival.

Supernovae:

Massive stars end their lives in supernova explosions, with less than 1% of their mass forming new stars and planets. That tiny fraction creates the building blocks of galaxies.

Asteroid Collisions:

Of the millions of asteroids in the solar system, only a handful strike Earth. These rare impacts have shaped continents, brought water to the planet, and possibly delivered the building blocks of life.

The Moon:

Formed from debris after a colossal collision with Earth billions of years ago, the Moon stabilizes our planet's tilt, enabling seasons and supporting life. Its existence is the result of a rare cosmic accident.

Volcanoes:

Less than 0.1% of Earth’s volcanic activity occurs above ground. Yet these eruptions create fertile soils, sustain ecosystems, and even shape climates by releasing essential gases.

Ocean Currents:

90% of the ocean’s water lies in deep currents, which move nutrients and regulate global temperatures. The small surface percentage affects weather and life patterns worldwide.

Sperm and Conception:

In a single ejaculation, there are 100 million sperm cells, but only 1 fertilizes the egg. That one cell determines the creation of a new life, showing how resilience beats overwhelming odds.

Lightning Strikes:

There are 1.2 billion lightning strikes on Earth each year, with only a fraction striking ground. Yet these strikes recharge the atmosphere with nitrogen, essential for plant growth.

Rainforest Oxygen Production:

Rainforests make up less than 6% of Earth’s surface but produce over 20% of the planet’s oxygen—an outsized impact from a small portion of land.

Antarctic Krill:

Antarctic krill populations reach over 500 trillion, yet only 1 in 10,000 survive to adulthood. The survivors sustain whales, seals, and entire marine ecosystems.

Earth’s Water:

Less than 1% of Earth’s water is fresh and accessible. That small percentage supports 7.9 billion people and countless species.

Black Holes:

Of the estimated 100 billion galaxies, only a fraction contain supermassive black holes. These rare phenomena shape galaxies and influence star formation.

Comet Landings:

Billions of comets orbit the Sun, but only a handful interact with Earth. These rare encounters may have seeded Earth with water and organic molecules billions of years ago.

Expanding Nature’s Obscurities

Mangrove Trees:

Less than 0.1% of global forests are mangroves, yet they absorb 5 times more carbon than regular trees and protect millions of coastal communities.

Soil Microbes:

A single gram of soil contains over 1 billion microbes, but only a tiny fraction are active at any given time. These few maintain soil health and enable agriculture.

Fungi Networks:

Underground fungal networks span 45,000 square miles, but only 1% are visible above ground. These hidden networks support forests by transferring nutrients between trees.

Desert Beetles:

Namib Desert beetles survive by collecting water droplets on their backs from fog. Only 1 in 10,000 beetles succeed in reproducing, yet their adaptation sustains generations.

Arctic Ice Algae:

Ice algae thrive under frozen Arctic surfaces, constituting less than 0.01% of biomass but forming the base of polar marine ecosystems.

Mind-Blowing Examples of Persistence

Human Brain Neurons:

The brain contains 86 billion neurons, but only a fraction fire at any given moment. These few create every thought, decision, and action that defines us.

Seeds in Space:

Seeds exposed to cosmic radiation on the International Space Station have germinated on Earth, showing resilience under extreme conditions.

Mars Rovers:

Of the 49 Mars missions, less than 50% succeeded. Yet those that made it, like Perseverance, revolutionized our understanding of the Red Planet.

Coronal Mass Ejections:

The Sun releases billions of tons of plasma during solar storms, but only a tiny portion reaches Earth. That small percentage affects satellites, power grids, and auroras.

Jellyfish Blooms:

Less than 1% of jellyfish larvae survive to adulthood, yet they’ve existed for over 500 million years, thriving in conditions where most species fail.

Octopus Reproduction:

A female octopus lays up to 200,000 eggs, yet only 1–2% hatch. The few survivors perpetuate one of the ocean’s most intelligent species.

Desert Rainstorms:

In some deserts, rain falls once every 5–10 years, but that rare rainfall replenishes life and transforms the landscape.

"The Few That Remain” – A Poem About Failure, Growth, and Resilience

Do you feel like you’re giving everything you’ve got, yet it still isn’t enough? Like your efforts just disappear, leaving no trace behind?

“The Few That Remain” isn’t about empty motivation; it’s about the real, unfiltered truth of failure and how it shapes the road to success. If you’ve ever felt like quitting, this poem will remind you why resilience matters and how growth comes from even the hardest struggles.

The Few That Remain

I woke up again with the same old fight, the battle inside my head.

The weight of failure pulls me down; it feels like I’m hanging by a thread.

I’ve tried so hard, so many times, yet nothing seems to stick.

Am I planting seeds in barren soil, or is this just the trick?

I look at others and what they’ve done; success is all I see.

I tell myself, “You’re not enough,” and it’s tearing apart what’s left of me.

But here’s a truth you never hear, a law that runs the show:

For every failure that seems to break you, something still will grow.

An oak tree drops ten thousand seeds, yet only one takes root.

The rest are crushed by careless feet, or stolen as squirrelly loot.

A mother turtle lays her eggs, hiding them in the sand,

But most are swallowed by the sea before they ever land.

The salmon leap against the stream, their bodies scraped and torn;

Most will fall before they reach the place where life is born.

Billions of stars light up the sky, but most burn out unseen.

One sun alone sustains this world and powers what life can mean.

Migrating birds take endless paths, their journeys long and steep.

Many will fall to storms and predators, yet a flock will always keep.

Raindrops pound on thirsty ground, most scatter or slip away.

But a few will sink to feed deep roots and help the earth repay.

An artist works in quiet rooms, doubting every stroke.

They never live to see their work become the words we quote.

A poet scribbles line by line, their thoughts locked in a chest.

Long after they’re gone, their verses breathe and stand among the best.

An athlete trains through aching pain, repeating drills all day.

For every one who earns the crown, a thousand walk away.

This is how life works, my friend—failure isn’t the end.

It’s part of how the seeds are sown; it’s how success will bend.

Think of the seeds destroyed each year before a tree can grow.

Forests rise because a few break through; the rest we’ll never know.

Think of the raindrops lost to heat, evaporating fast.

Yet the ones that sink below the ground create rivers built to last.

Or trenches dug in desert dirt, the ground both cracked and dry.

No sign of rain, yet faith digs deep, trusting clouds will fill the sky.

You weren’t made to win it all; you weren’t built to quit.

Your purpose isn’t in the fall—it’s in getting up bit by bit.

For every effort that you make, some fail, and that’s okay;

Because the few that rise from ruin will bloom another day.

Failures carve the road you walk; the losses pave the way.

Stars that fade still light the night; storms feed the earth they flay.

So dig your ditches in the sand, even when the sky is clear.

Trust the law of the few that remain, and watch as hope appears.

Copyright 2024 by Nicholas Townsend Smith

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