You Can Only Be a Failure if You Stop Trying

Jovan is a graduate of the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs’ College Access Program (CAP). He graduated from Simon Gratz High School and majored in criminology and theatre at Millersville University. He also interned with Project HOME’s advocacy department. Jovan spoke to the graduating class at a CAP ceremony.  

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate all the rising freshmen. I wish you nothing but the best on your road to success. Five years ago, if someone were to ask me, “do I ever see myself delivering a speech?” my response would most likely have been no. But what happened? What changed about me? 

Opportunity is what happened and fear is what changed me. The fear of failure is what I was most afraid of while entering college. Fear of changing my ways and what I was used to is what held me back from seizing the opportunity to be great. One thing I realized in life is that it is not failure that kills your dreams. It’s the fear of failure. Most people do not achieve their dreams in school because of one failed test, and because they are afraid of failing again. You can only be a failure if you stop trying. 

Use the fear of failure as endurance and motivation to be great.

The most successful people in the world (such as Bill Gates, Oprah, Mark Zuckerberg, and even the Honickmans) all failed at something. But they are the most successful people in the world today. Why is that? It’s because they knew that failure is one step closer to success.  

My biggest challenge going into college was math. I hated math, and I still do. And I did fail at math my sophomore year, but that didn’t make me a failure. You see, I can only be a failure if I gave up trying. I will work smarter and harder than I ever did before. Did you know that Thomas Edison failed ten thousand times while trying to create the light bulb but it was the ten thousandth and first time that worked? He only needed one try for it to work, and he never gave up in spite of all the times he failed.  

I tell you this to say that if you really want to achieve something, don’t let fear of failure get in the way of your accomplishing that goal. Use the fear of failure as endurance and motivation to be great. If you were to ask me today whether I am afraid of failing, my response would be no. I am not afraid of failing. I am afraid of what I would become if I let the fear of failure stop me from seizing opportunities in life. 

Your fear may be different from mine. Maybe you fear public speaking or adapting to new things. Always keep this in mind: if you do what you have always done, then you will be what you have always been. Something has to change. Never be afraid of challenging yourself to do something new.  

Failure is only a chapter in your success story. It is a hurdle in life, but your endurance will lead you to success. I urge you to continue to aspire and strive for nothing but greatness. Good luck on all of your goals and future endeavors, and thank you for this opportunity!