Have you ever failed an exam, or not submitted a homework assignment on time, or even missed a class before, and felt like the weight of the world was caving in on you?

I know I have.

You should be disappointed at times like this. As a societal contributor, it's your responsibility to exert maximum effort in whatever it is you may be doing. But just because you don't always exceed expectations doesn't mean you're a complete failure.

I've been thinking a lot about this topic recently. I'm someone who has struggled with failure in the past. Whether it be in school, sports, or socially, I tend to obsess over my shortcomings to the point where its all I think about. I've finally realized that this is NOT a healthy method of coping. It's an entirely counterproductive process that places individuals in an even worse position than they were initially.

It has been my goal for the past several months to stray from this bad habit. I'm sick and tired of making mistakes and subsequently punishing myself mentally. I'm an imperfect human being. It's my duty to utilize failure as a motive for future improvement. I continue to remind myself of this to avoid experiences of the past.

At the end of the day, what I do on a daily basis is essentially meaningless. Sure, I work hard because that's what I'm at college to do. My family and friends expect me to work hard because it's what I've always done.

But what about when I don't give 100%? Have I let everyone that depends on me down?

No.

First off, not everyone depends on you and your success. The sun will rise tomorrow regardless of whether or not you got an A on that calculus exam. You're a single unit that inhabits a world occupied by billions of other units. One blunder will have little to no impact on the rest of humanity.

This isn't just a message to whoever's reading this or a reassurance to myself. This applies to EVERYONE. All individuals are capable of committing errors. In fact, all individuals do commit errors. Determination and will aren't virtues based on perfection. Rather, they are emphasized through a person's ability to overcome obstacles during times of adversity.

I missed my first college class today, sabotaging a potential perfect attendance record. I was doing homework until the early hours of the morning and didn't have the energy to provide the class with my utmost attention. The old me would cringe at this decision. The old me would spend the rest of his day analyzing the negative consequences of such a decision. The old me would never forgive himself.

Unlike the old me, the new me kept his head up, powering through the rest of the day as if nothing happened. Now here I am, alive and well, focused on what tomorrow brings. This is the mindset I've always aspired to attain: the past cannot be altered, so I'm better off turning my attention to what lies ahead.

My success doesn't define me. While I feel obligated to try my best at all times, I shouldn't get too upset when things don't go my way. Everyone should think this way. Not because I say so, but because it's the truth.

This may come off as an unorganized, meaningless rant, and that's perfectly fine. I hope that one, just one person may absorb the underlying value of my words and harness the wisdom I set out to share in a progressive manner.

Stay positive, fellow humans, and carry on as you always have.