It’s been just over 2 months since I quit Instagram, and not much has changed. Quite honestly, I miss some of the entertainment; my algorithm fed me a steady diet of F1 onboards, clips of the triangle offence and highlights from the 90s/2000s NBA.
Now, I find myself periodically scrolling my LinkedIn feed, which can be a nauseating experience. Aside from the nonstop AI slop posts repeating the same platitudes, I do enjoy seeing some of the highlights. People posting about their new jobs, certifications, and degrees, hard-earned with blood, sweat and tears. Bravo.
But, part of me wishes more people would talk about their mistakes, fuck-ups and shortcomings. Our resumes are meant to resemble our key accomplishments and contributions, but really, they just detail the misery and suffering we were willing to endure all to make ends meet while scraping up some savings.
In my opinion, success, like happiness, is really just a state of mind. Something you stumble upon, typically in moments of reflection or solitude. Sure, there are ways you can define success. Case in point: success is measured if/when I achieve x, y and z. We work and work and work until we get x, y and z. We celebrate, bask in that deep feeling of satisfaction for about 90 seconds, and then begin dreaming about a, b and c.
Regardless, however you define success, and whatever your goals are, I think the best way to get there is to understand that along the way, you’ll fail more than you succeed. A difficult pill to swallow for most, especially in the age of social media, where we can’t help but compare ourselves to everyone else’s perfectly curated highlight reel.
As they say, lead with your best foot forward. However, in some situations, I’d argue it’s better to stumble out of the gates. When you begin with an L, it takes all the pressure out of the situation.
In about 99% of the circumstances you find yourself in, failure is never fatal.
Acknowledging the simple fact that you’re human and you’re not perfect, regardless of how much preparation, commitment and dedication you put into that project, race, business plan, or insert important thing, failure and mistakes will be part of the process.
It’s important to remind yourself of this fact. So don’t be afraid to lose the first game, screw up the first impression, or the first 2 minutes of that important meeting. If and when it happens, just sit with it for a second and begin again. When you start at rock bottom, the only direction you can go is up.
Let’s look to the world of sports to find a prime example of this plan in action.
In 1992, the greatest team in the history of sports was assembled for the Summer Olympics. The 1992 United States Olympic Basketball Team, aka The Dream Team. At the time, the team had 11 of the best basketball players in the world, led by arguably the greatest athlete of all time, Michael Jordan. They were destined to destroy all comers, light the world on fire and play as an unstoppable force.
Their coach, the mastermind and genius, Chuck Daly, faced a challenging task: managing the egos of 11 superstars while ensuring the team chemistry and harmony remained intact. Before setting off for their Olympic quest, he plotted a bold move to teach his team a valuable lesson in humility. In a scrimmage against the USA Select Team, consisting of college players, the Dream Team got its first taste of outside competition. And the result? They lost.
How? Chuck threw the game. His substitution patterns were erratic. He didn’t make any adjustments. And the biggest factor? He sat Jordan for long stretches of the game.
It was a bold move, but an important one. Chuck proved that despite the Dream Team’s athleticism and collection of superstar talent, regardless of their aura of invincibility, they can lose and succumb to failure.
After the loss, the team came together, absolved their personal egos and became the greatest force in the history of sports, on route to Olympic gold and eternal glory. Never forget, it all started with an L.
Sometimes, when you fail or fuck up early, it can relieve some of, if not all all the pressure. We’re often our own worst enemies, demanding perfection and performance at all costs, so stumbling out of the gates can help us lift that unnecessary weight off our shoulders and carry on, focusing on the task at hand with poise and relaxation. At times, it may feel like the world is imploding and the sky is falling, but that’s really the best test to collect yourself and see what you’re made of.
This strategy doesn’t suggest or imply that you be lazy or unprepared for the moment; that will never be a recipe for success. The climb up from rock bottom is an inevitable hike we must all take. For the unrelenting overachievers, it’s simply a reminder — there’s no need to fear failure because it is never fatal, and rather it is inevitable on the road to success.
Best of luck.
Thanks for reading.
Much love. SG
The 2019 Toronto Raptors. In typical Raptors fashion, they lost Game 1 of the 2019 playoffs to the anemic Orlando Magic. Led by a heroic effort from their journeyman point guard, D.J Augustin, the Orlando Magic upset the title-contending Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the first round. As expected, Toronto fans crumbled into a shell of outrage and fear, and the pundits had a field day about the Raptors being an organization destined for eternal failure. Two and a half months later, the 2019 Toronto Raptors were world champions. A prime example of stumbling out of the gates, resetting expectations and using failure as fuel for an unbelievable run.
The Argentinian National Football Team, at the 2022 Qatar World Cup Finals. Lionel Messi’s Argentina faced tremendous pressure entering the 2022 World Cup Finals, and in embarrassing fashion lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening match. The entire world mocked the Argentines, while Saudi Arabia to this day are still celebrating their historic (and probably only significant) victory. Argentina went on to win the 2022 World Cup Finals against France, with Lionel Messi clinching the elusive World Cup trophy and cementing himself as one of the Greatest Footballers of All Time.
I first drafted this post on a random February night in 2025. I was lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, watching NBA highlights from the 90s when I stumbled on the video above, detailing the historic scrimmage between the 92 Dream Team and the 92 Select Team. That was the inspiration for this post. I then thought about some of my other favourite moments in sports where championship teams stumble out of the gates and go on to prove everyone wrong. I’d love to hear any of your favourite stories on facing failure and accomplishing the impossible.
Build. Understand. Discipline. Stillness. “B.U.D.S” is written by me, Dr. Shawn Gill - I’m a pharmacist, MSL and Father of two boys. During the day, I work as a medical science liaison and deprescribing pharmacist, helping translate scientific data and clinical evidence, as well helping patients reduce their medication needs, safely and effectively. At night, I write this newsletter. B.U.D.S is a community that’s focused on inspiring individuals to take account of their health and wellness, as well as reverse mental health and chronic disease. If you’d like to support this mission, please subscribe below. Much love. SG
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