The Power of One More Try
How Persistence Turned My Failures Into Forward Motion
I used to think failure was the end of the road. That when something didn’t work out—when I fell short, got rejected, or hit a wall—it meant I wasn’t meant for it. I used to take failure personally, like it was some kind of proof that I wasn’t enough.
But something changed the day I decided to try one more time.
That decision—small, quiet, and made in a moment of frustration—became the turning point that rewired my entire path.
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It started with a job I really wanted. I had poured everything into preparing for the interview—research, mock questions, a tailored resume. I even bought a new shirt I couldn’t really afford because I wanted to feel confident.
But I didn’t get the job.
The rejection email came on a Monday morning, and I still remember how my heart sank. I sat in my kitchen with a cup of cold coffee and whispered to myself, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”
That could’ve been the end of the story.
But for some reason—maybe it was the stubborn voice in my head or maybe I just didn’t want to let go yet—I told myself:
“Try one more time.”
So I applied again. Not to the same company, but to a different role that intimidated me even more. I updated my resume again. I practiced my answers again. I failed again.
But I tried again.
And again.
Each time I heard “no,” something inside me started to shift. I stopped seeing it as a verdict and started seeing it as a step. I stopped thinking I was failing and started realizing—I was learning.
It wasn’t just about jobs.
There was the time I tried to start a side business selling handmade candles. I spent weeks crafting labels, testing scents, and building a little website. I made exactly two sales in three months—one to my best friend, and one to my mom.
I almost shut it down.
But again, I told myself:
“Try one more time.”
I posted on social media again. I asked for feedback again. I started going to local markets and talking to people face to face. That’s when things started to change. Slowly. Imperfectly. But forward.
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There’s a strange kind of magic in persistence.
Not the loud, dramatic kind. Not the kind you see in movies where the music swells and the hero wins in the final scene.
But the quiet, steady kind that shows up when no one’s watching. When it’s just you and your doubt. You and your hope. You and that little voice that says,
“Just one more try.”
________________________________________
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t always come with a lightning bolt. Sometimes it comes in inches. In emails that say, “We’d love to interview you.” In a stranger buying your candle and saying, “This smells like home.” In the feeling that even if today wasn’t the day, maybe tomorrow will be.
I’ve failed more times than I can count. But each time I chose to try again, I gave myself a chance to grow. A chance to learn. A chance to become someone I’m proud of.
The truth is, persistence isn’t about never falling. It’s about falling and choosing to rise again—not because you’re sure it’ll work next time, but because you believe you’re worth the effort.
Because deep down, you know that forward motion is built on failure stacked with courage.
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The Lesson:
Sometimes, the only difference between success and staying stuck is one more try.
Not every attempt will lead to a breakthrough, but every try is a vote for the future you want. Every try strengthens your belief in yourself.
And the beautiful thing is—you never know which try will be the one.
But you’ll never find out if you stop trying.
So, whatever you’re reaching for—don’t quit just yet.
Give yourself one more try.
And then maybe… one more after that.
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Thank you for reading...
Regards: Fazal Hadi
About the Creator
Fazal Hadi
Hello, I’m Fazal Hadi, a motivational storyteller who writes honest, human stories that inspire growth, hope, and inner strength.
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