“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
Life is a journey filled with victories and setbacks. Everyone stumbles. Everyone falls. But what separates those who succeed from those who give up is the willingness to rise again. Falling is not the same as failing—it is a test of resilience and strength.
Indian philosophy, particularly the Bhagavad Gita, reminds us:
“You have the right to work, but never to the fruits of work.”
This profound lesson teaches us that setbacks, challenges, and failures are an inevitable part of life. They are not indicators of weakness but signs of progress and growth.
Let’s explore how falling is not an end but a necessary beginning on the path to success.
The Inevitable Fall: A Shared Human Experience
No one in history has ever achieved greatness without facing failure. Whether it’s a king, a scientist, an athlete, or an entrepreneur—falling is a universal experience.
Take Dhirubhai Ambani, one of India’s most successful industrialists. He started his career as a petrol pump attendant in Yemen with no wealth or connections—only dreams. He faced financial setbacks, criticism, and enormous challenges, but he never let those moments define him. Instead, he used them as stepping stones to build Reliance Industries, one of the largest business empires in the world.
On a global scale, Abraham Lincoln is another inspiring example. He faced multiple business failures, lost numerous elections, and even suffered a nervous breakdown. But he kept moving forward and ultimately became one of the most revered Presidents of the United States.
The lesson? Falling is not the end of the road—it’s the start of a stronger, wiser comeback.
The Child’s Lesson: Learning Through Falling
Think of a toddler learning to walk. They stumble, fall, and often cry. But do they ever give up? No. They keep trying until they learn to stand firm.
Life does not demand perfection—it rewards persistence.
Consider Sachin Tendulkar, the “God of Cricket.” Early in his career, he was dropped from the team, and his initial Test matches were unimpressive. Critics doubted his potential. But he didn’t let that discourage him. He worked harder, refined his skills, and became a cricketing legend.
His journey echoes the words of Swami Vivekananda:
“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Every fall carries a lesson. Every setback is an opportunity to grow. The only real failure is choosing not to rise again.
The Myth of Overnight Success
In today’s world, social media glamorizes success stories, making it seem as if people achieve greatness overnight. But behind every “instant success” is a long history of struggles, failures, and perseverance.
Take Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC. His fried chicken recipe was rejected 1,009 times before he finally found success—at the age of 60!
Similarly, Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s greatest actors, was rejected multiple times for his deep voice and was told he lacked the appeal to be a film star. Later, he faced bankruptcy in the 1990s. But instead of letting his failures define him, he reinvented himself, hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati, which revived his career and cemented his legacy.
Had Sanders or Bachchan given up after their early failures, they would have remained unknown. Their success wasn’t luck—it was built on their ability to rise after every fall.
The Bhagavad Gita’s Wisdom on Falling
The Bhagavad Gita imparts a valuable lesson on resilience. In Chapter 2, Verse 47, Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Your right is to perform your duty only, but never to its fruits.”
This means that effort is more important than immediate results. Falling is part of the process, and detachment from the fear of failure is essential.
Look at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s “Missile Man.” His early projects faced failures, but he never allowed them to break his spirit. He continued working, led India’s missile program, and ultimately became the President of India.
In his own words:
“If you fail, never give up because FAIL means ‘First Attempt In Learning.’”
The Steve Jobs Story: A Business Failure Turned Success
Even the world’s greatest innovators have faced devastating failures. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was fired from his own company—a very public and humiliating fall. Many believed his career was over.
But instead of giving up, Jobs founded NeXT and Pixar, both of which thrived. Later, he returned to Apple, leading it to become one of the most valuable companies in history.
Reflecting on his fall, Jobs said:
“I didn’t see it then, but getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”
The takeaway? Sometimes, a fall is necessary to realign our path and discover our true potential.
How to Rise After a Fall
What separates achievers from quitters is how they respond to failure. The moment after a fall is crucial. Do we stay down? Or do we rise again?
Here’s how to rise after a fall:
- Accept the Fall – Denying failure only delays growth. Accept it as part of the journey.
- Analyze What Went Wrong – Reflect on your mistakes to prevent repeating them.
- Adjust and Improve – Modify your approach, just as a pilot corrects course mid-flight.
- Keep Moving Forward – Progress matters, even if it’s just small steps.
- Be Patient – Success is a marathon, not a sprint.
As Ratan Tata once said:
“None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person, but their own mindset can.”
Conclusion: The Power of the Fall
Falling is inevitable—but defeat is optional. Whether in sports, business, politics, or personal life, everyone experiences setbacks. The real winners are those who embrace the fall, learn from it, and rise even stronger.
The greatest success stories begin with failure. The only way to never fall is to never try—and that is the greatest failure of all.
So, the next time you stumble, remind yourself: Falling is just the first step toward flying. 🚀
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani),
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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