A while back, I was working on a big project. I was so hopeful about it. It was the kind of thing that could change everything for me. I poured my heart into it—late nights, endless revisions, giving it my all. I assembled a team of serious professionals — a Japanese, Singaporean, European and American. When it comes to software and technology, I have been told that these kinds of people have “logic.” I bought into it and spent a lot of money to get the team working. To make matters worse, I did a pitch to a prospective investor who loved the idea and told me if I can show them an MVP — minimum viable product in app development speak, I would consider investing. We are talking about hundreds of USDs here! And then… it stalled. The project just stalled. I got the call. “Sorry, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction.” Remember when it comes to global team project management, we pay based on milestones.
I was crushed. You know that feeling, right? When you’ve invested everything and it doesn’t pay off? I remember sitting there, staring at my phone, feeling completely defeated. My mind was racing, filled with doubt.
“What was all that effort for? Why even try again?”
But then something happened. I remembered a conversation I had with my mentor years ago. He said,
“The world doesn’t reward effort; it rewards persistence.”
And that hit me hard. I realized I wasn’t done. This setback wasn’t the end of my story. It was a chapter—just one chapter.
So I got up. I sent a few emails. I made some calls. And slowly, I began to rebuild. One opportunity led to another, and things started to shift. It didn’t happen overnight, but eventually, I landed something even bigger. Something I am working on right now. It is so exciting I am happy that the first project ended the way it did.
Here’s what I want you to take from this: Failure is not final. It feels like it in the moment, but it’s not. It’s just feedback. It’s a step, not a stop. So when you face your own failures—and trust me, you will—remember this: Get back up. Keep going. Because success doesn’t come to those who never fall. It comes to those who get up, every single time.
May this October bring you renewal.
Mr Strategy.
You’re stronger than you know. Keep moving forward.
