I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.
Turn Your Flops into Fuel – Learn, Grow, Win - 2025 - Week 17 Update
|
This week, I’ve been thinking about something we all dodge but can’t escape: mistakes and failures. They sting, no question. But here’s the flip side—every flop is a masterclass in disguise. When you learn from what went wrong, you’re not just recovering; you’re arming yourself for a stronger shot at success next time. Think of it like a chef tweaking a recipe. The first batch of cookies might be too salty or burn to a crisp. Does the chef quit? Nope. They taste the mess, figure out what went off—too much salt, oven too hot—and adjust. The next batch? Closer to perfect. That’s what mistakes do for us. They’re not dead ends; they’re feedback. Every misstep shows you what to tweak, what to double down on, or what to ditch entirely. I’ve had my share of burned cookies. A while back, I launched a project that tanked—hard. I’d poured time and energy into it, but it just didn’t land. At first, I wanted to crawl under a rock. But when I stopped sulking and started dissecting what happened, I saw the holes: unclear goals, rushed planning, ignored red flags. Painful? Sure. But those lessons shaped my next move, and that one? It soared. The failure wasn’t a stop sign—it was a detour to something better. The key is to shift how you see setbacks. Instead of “I blew it,” try “What’s this teaching me?” Break it down: What worked? What didn’t? What’s one thing you’d do differently? That’s where the gold is. Then take that wisdom and aim again. Success isn’t about never falling—it’s about using the fall to build a better ladder. Here’s my challenge for you this week: think of one mistake or failure that’s been nagging at you. Write down one lesson it taught you—something concrete you can use. Then pick one small way to apply it to your next step, whether it’s a new project, a conversation, or a goal. If you’re up for it, reply and share what you learned—I’d love to hear it! Mistakes don’t define you. They refine you. So dust off, learn up, and go get that next win. Justin PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing. If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative. Justin Stephens |
Life with Justin Stephens
I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.
Happy Easter Sunday! As we celebrate this day of renewal and grace, I’ve been reflecting on something powerful: forgiveness and the freedom it brings. Easter reminds us of what God has done for us—His sacrifice, His love, His promise of a fresh start. Because of that, we can let go of the pain of the past and step forward with hope. Carrying old hurts is like dragging a heavy chain. Maybe it’s a grudge against someone who wronged you, a regret you can’t shake, or even anger at yourself for...
This week, I’ve been thinking about something that hits close to home: knowing exactly what action you need to take… and still not taking it. It’s like standing at the edge of a diving board, fully aware you can swim, but frozen because the water looks cold. We’ve all been there, and I want to talk about flipping that script—changing how we see it so we can finally jump. Here’s the deal: when you know what to do—whether it’s sending that email, starting that project, or having that tough...
This week, I’ve been reflecting on something we all face at some point: those moments when it feels like nothing’s going in your favor. The plans fall apart, the wins don’t come, and it’s tempting to wonder if hope’s just a nice word that doesn’t hold up. But here’s what I’ve learned—hope isn’t about waiting for things to get easy. It’s about finding a way to keep going, even when the tide’s against you. Picture this: you’re rowing a boat in a storm. The waves are high, the wind’s howling,...