What it’s like to FAIL GREAT

As an international student who came to Canada from Macau, all alone, 6 years ago, I faced substantial language and cultural barriers.

Sometimes even I have difficulty believing what I have achieved, from being a programming mentor for high school students, to an experienced freelancer, and currently a software developer at BiteSite.

No doubt, I have achieved a lot in this period of time, but it is important to know that I encountered many failures in my journey to where I am today.

By sharing my journey with you, I hope it will resonate with people who are going through tough times. So they know that they are not alone and the effort they put in will not go to waste.

1. What failures have I been through?

Frankly speaking, I am not sure if my failures are bigger or smaller relative to others, but I can say with confidence that what I have been through was not at all easy. I have seen failure in my education, my career, and my relationships.

I had to retake grade 5 due to my weak English skills, and lucky me, I got to experience that again in grade 10, which pushed me back two years from being admitted into university.

Failing multiple courses my freshman year, missing my co-op work terms, and being rejected by more than 30 times for job interviews. I had experienced one of the worst times in my life.

Failure for me is nothing but a reality that I have to face every day, and I believe that it has come to a point where I would be surprised if I didn’t fail on my first try.

2. What have I learned from them?

Failure in modern society is perceived to be something experienced by the weak, but in my opinion, that is what makes you stronger.

For me, my failures have led me to gain new perspectives and challenge my own self. More importantly, a reminder to stay alerted for what’s ahead, be humble and keep learning.

“It’s fine to celebrate success but its more important to heed the lessons of failure” — Bill Gates

Without failing grade 5 English, I would never realize the important of improving my English, which later becomes one of the very reason coming to Canada and start writing.

Without retaking two years of high school, I would never found out how limited my time is, and how to make the most out of every second that I live.

Without missing my co-op work terms, I would never understand the important of being different and being able to stand out from the crowd. This realization led me to start doing my freelance work and take initiative at work and life.

Without a heartbreaking relationship that ended, I would never grasp the significance of a meaningful relationship.

Without all the failures that I have encountered, I would have never been on the path which I am on right now. We face challenges because we are strong enough to handle them, and it would only count as a failure if that is all we can see.

3. What I got from my journey?

Looking back to the old days, what I came across was necessary to push becoming better.

Since I started writing on Medium, I have come across like-minded people who have been through challenges, yet kept working on their goals. This is exactly my vision and mission of the What it’s like series.

Since I started my freelancing career, I gained a lot more insight and skill for web development and at the same time earned the privilege of helping others in transforming their thoughts into reality. Thanks to Justin Wang for supporting me from the very beginning, with building Audit Market Map, piece by piece.

After being selected to be a programming mentor for one of my co-op terms, it was an unforgettable journey I went through with DM High Voltage, realizing the impact I could make to other students’ lives.

Since I started working at BiteSite for my current work term, I have had a delightful experience. Not only having a glance at the professional work environment, but more for the joy I get while working with BiteSite’s team Casey and Tim and Denis at International Safety.

During my journey of “failures”, I have learned invaluable lessons through setbacks, met incisive people by stepping out of my comfort zone, and gained memorable experiences through tough times. Most importantly, shaped my character into who I am today.

Sometimes the destination doesn’t matter as much, when the journey itself is worth more.

4. What I think about failures?

I started from a place where everyone would consider difficult to reach where I am right now, but here I am, after fighting all the embarrassment, rejection, and scarcity that has come my way.

Every fall I have had, gave me a clearer perspective of my circumstances, and made me realizing that there are still a lot more to appreciate, especially the people who were willing to offer their helping hands, and to walk me through the storms.

Failing itself is easy, but to fail greatly, one must keep grinding, do the undoable, talk the unseeable, and walk the unconventional.

Thanks for reading along with me, it’s my pleasure to share my views with you. I hope we all gained a new insight that we were unfamiliar with.

Special thanks to everyone supported me during my journey here.

Ashar, Michael, and Yuhan thanks for proofreading this article for me 👍