Why did I start Success in Failure?

Vulnerability sounds like truth, and truth is courage. Courage and truth aren’t always comfortable, but they are never weakness.

Laila Zouaki
Aug 26, 2017 · 2 min read
Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash

I haven’t discussed the publication yet with one of my mentors, yet I know what he would ask first. Why am I do this? What is the real, core reason that motivates you? What is the purpose behind collecting these stories?

As I’m preparing the first Success in Failure story, I ask myself: is it going to be helpful? Isn’t it going to be painful for people to go through their tough experiences and share them? What kind of value am I creating?

So, I asked Joel Mwakasege, editor in chief of the BeYourself publication, what he thought of the concept. I was probably looking to feel reassured with some sort of validation. Instead, here’s what he asked.

Why ? Why now ? Why you?

Why?

I think I’ve been hit quite hard with situations where I failed. Although I thrived out of them, I’m pretty sure I still have this inherent fear of failing. Fear of judging myself and feeling worthless. So even if the high level reason is to banalize failure for everyone, it most probably roots down to my own need to banalize it for myself.

Why now?

I’m in a point of my life where I’m in an environment I’ve already failed in: a competitive school. I am doing everything I can to be aware of my passed demons and not let my past experience frighten me so much that I’d do it all over again. I’m also close to getting out of the educational world, into a more agressive—the startup world— which I’m both thrilled about but also frightened of.

Why me ?

I’m not sure how to answer that, apart from: why not! I’m trying to act more on my creative ideas and to set free from the limitations I’ve built around myself for most of my life: I’m not an artist, I’m not a writer, I’m not […].


What he answered really warmed my heart.

Then you will be fine. Anytime you think you’re not, read your answers to this questions.

Thank you Joel Mwakasege for your guidance!


If this post was helpful, please hold down that 👏🏼 below so more can read it. You can also find more stories here and here. Follow me and Success in Failure to be the first to see the upcoming stories.

Success in Failure

Start. Build. Learn. Fail. Learn. Repeat

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Laila Zouaki

Written by

24. Product manager. Yogi. Writer. Painter. Connector. Awareness junkie. Published on Thought Catalog.

Success in Failure

Start. Build. Learn. Fail. Learn. Repeat

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