When I led my university’s newspaper, I once decided to publish a controversial story on the front page, not sure how the administration would react. Long story short, they weren’t happy. My job dangled on a string, my employees’ jobs were on the line and even the future of the entire news organization — a 110-year-old establishment — was threatened.   It was the lowest moment of my writing career. Did I really fail so miserably that I could bring about the end of a century-old newspaper? After some shaky and apprehensive reconciliation, I still considered resigning. I felt like I didn’t have what it took to lead that organization to where it needed to go, and I knew another mishap would mean the end for my whole team.   Fortunately, my advisors convinced me to keep going. I found people to lean on and confide in. So, when you’re feeling like you’re at the lowest of lows, here are some quotes to keep you going.   

“I have not failed 10,000 times — I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” -Thomas Edison 

Before Thomas Edison became known as one of the most successful innovators in the world, he was the king of failure. Inventing the light bulb didn’t transform from a dream to a reality in one day, so you shouldn’t expect the same out of yourself.   Be patient. Appreciate each “no” in life, because each one gets you closer to success.  

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” -Babe Ruth 

How many times have you let your fear of failure prevent you from doing something amazing?   Your future is full of so much joy and success that you can’t possibly understand right now, so it does not deserve your fear.   No one can perfectly see the path ahead of them, so don’t assume that it’s full of failure.  

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill  

What truly defines success is the ability to rise each time you fall. If your business comes too easily to you, it’s not going to stay standing. Failure helps you to learn and appreciate each step forward and each building block that makes up your organization.  

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” -J.K. Rowling 

You haven’t failed until you’ve given up. I recently made a serious decision in my life and quickly realized it was a mistake. While I sat at rock bottom trying to figure out what my next steps were, I turned to a close friend of mine. I told her I wish none of it had ever happened — that I had turned everything into a big mess.   She said something that shook me to my core: “You made this choice because it made you happy. Don’t ever regret choosing joy.”  How often do we choose to forego that potential joy because we’re afraid to lose it? How much learning and growing do we miss when we avoid that?  If it comes down to choosing between an unfulfilled life or getting knocked down when we chase our dreams, choose the latter. You’ll be so much better off for it.