Eli swung hard—and missed. Again.
He looked at me, frustrated.
“I’m just not good at this,” he said.
I wanted to jump in with reassurance: You’re strong, smart, coordinated. You’ve got this. And all of that is true.
But I paused—because I realized something.
This moment wasn’t just about skill. It was about identity.
If I rushed in too quickly with praise, I might accidentally send the message that his worth depends on being “good” at something right away. Instead, I told him:
“Missing doesn’t mean you’re not good. It just means you’re still learning. And I love that you keep showing up.”
It wasn’t about the ball anymore. It was about who he’s becoming—through the swing, the miss, and the willingness to try again.
Investing is the same. Many people assume that if they make one mistake—or one bad decision—they’re bad at it. But that’s not how growth works. In life and in markets, resilience is built in the trying. In the process. In staying in the game.
Reflection:
When have you let a “miss” define your story?
What would it look like to rewrite that moment—not as failure, but as part of your foundation?