"私は失敗を信じていません。プロセスを楽しんだのであれば、それは失敗ではありません。"

The essence of the quote is about redefining our understanding of failure. It suggests that if you find joy in what you’re doing, the outcome—whether traditional success or not—doesn’t matter. The real success lies in the experience and enjoyment of the journey.

Historically, this perspective challenges the conventional view that success and failure are binary. Think about our achievement-driven society. We’re conditioned to measure success by tangible results—grades, promotions, wins. This quote flips that idea on its head. It was likely said to encourage people to focus more on the joy of the process rather than the end result.

Now, let’s talk about a real-life example. Picture this: a woman named Sarah decides to train for a marathon. She’s never been a runner, but she’s excited about the challenge. She wakes up early every morning, laces up her shoes, and hits the pavement. She pushes through the initial struggle, feeling stronger each day. She meets new friends in her running group, enjoys the sunrise, and finds a sense of peace in the rhythm of her feet hitting the ground. On race day, she doesn’t finish within the time she hoped for. Some might call that a failure. But for Sarah, it’s the opposite. She loved every step of the journey—the training, the community, the personal growth. That’s where the real value was for her.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? First, shift your mindset. Instead of fixating on the end goal, immerse yourself in the process. Find joy in the small victories and the effort you’re putting in. Let’s say you’re learning to play the guitar. Don’t worry if you can’t nail a song perfectly right away. Enjoy the practice sessions, the way your fingers learn to move, the satisfaction of playing your first chord. Celebrate those moments.

Imagine this scenario. You’re trying to get a startup off the ground. You’ve poured your heart into it—late nights, brainstorming sessions, endless cups of coffee. The launch day arrives, and it doesn’t take off as you hoped. It’s easy to feel defeated. But think back to all the skills you’ve learned, the creativity you’ve unleashed, the connections you’ve made. All those experiences are invaluable. They’re not erased by the launch day’s outcome. They’re yours to keep.

In a more relatable context, think about cooking a new recipe. You meticulously gather ingredients, follow the steps with anticipation, and enjoy the smells wafting through your kitchen. When you finally taste the dish, it’s not quite what you envisioned. Maybe it’s too salty, or the texture’s a bit off. But did you enjoy the process? Did you have fun experimenting and creating? That’s the win right there.

So next time you’re worried about failing, remember: it’s not about the finish line. It’s about loving the run.