A resume is often the most polished version of ourselves. It’s a collection of achievements, degrees, awards, and credentials, a carefully curated document meant to convince others we are flawless, capable, and worthy. But in truth, every single person who has achieved something worthwhile has stumbled, made mistakes, and faced setbacks along the way. Ironically, these failures are often the real foundation of success.
The concept of a “failure resume” turns the traditional idea of a resume on its head. Instead of only listing our wins, it lays out all the moments where we lost, fell short, or were rejected and highlights what we learned from them. Far from being a mark of shame, these experiences show resilience, adaptability, and growth.
This is the story of how one person embraced their failures, shared them openly, and discovered the mindsets that can help anyone transform defeat into strength.
The Birth of a Failure Resume:
In 2017, a professor from New York University did something unusual. He created a resume entirely dedicated to his failures, the jobs he didn’t get, the papers that were rejected, the opportunities that slipped away. His point was simple yet profound: these “losses” shaped him as much as, if not more than, his successes.
Inspired by this, I decided to create my failure resume. I listed everything I had failed at, from not getting into certain institutions to business setbacks. When I shared it, I expected embarrassment or awkwardness, but the reaction shocked me. People found it inspiring. Many assumed I had a flawless career trajectory, prestigious degrees, startup success, and leadership roles. Seeing that I, too, had failed repeatedly made them feel understood and hopeful.
It was then that I realized that failures, when acknowledged openly, can connect us more deeply with others and offer lessons far more valuable than our wins ever could.
The First Major Failure – Walking Away from the Dream:
At 22, I left for the United States on a 100% scholarship to pursue a PhD in Physics at Michigan State University. It was a dream come true a top university, surrounded by brilliant minds, and with financial independence that even exceeded my father’s decades-long salary. I was excelling academically, topping classes, and on track for a prestigious career in research.
Yet, deep inside, I was miserable. I had no passion for the life I was living. My days were robotic, attending lectures, cooking, sleeping, and repeating the cycle. Despite years of believing I would work in NASA or become a renowned physicist, I couldn’t ignore the fact that my heart wasn’t in it.
Walking away from the PhD meant shattering not just my dreams, but my family’s hopes too. We weren’t wealthy, and my move to the US had been seen as a way to transform our family’s future. But at 24, I made the terrifying decision to return to India with no clear plan for what came next.
I started with a modest job paying ₹14,000 a month, then took a massive financial risk by enrolling in an MBA at ISB, funding it entirely through loans. That leap eventually paid off, but at the time, it felt like a free fall into uncertainty.
The Second Major Failure – A Startup on the Brink:
In 2015, I founded nearby.com, raising $17 million from one of the world’s top venture capital firms. It was the largest first cheque they had ever written for a company. On paper, it was a dream start. In reality, I was a first-time founder making costly mistakes.
We were losing ₹5-10 crore per month, and in less than a year, funds began to dry up. Hard decisions followed: laying off employees who had done nothing wrong, slashing salaries, including my own, which no longer covered my expenses, and borrowing money from friends.
The lowest point came when my six-year-old son asked for a bicycle for his birthday, and we didn’t have the money to buy it. My wife sold a gold bangle so we could afford it and cover our living costs for another month. It was a deeply humbling and painful time.
Eventually, we secured funding from Paytm, merged with one of their startups, and turned profitable. But the scars of that struggle stayed with me.
The Third Major Failure – Stepping Down Without a Plan:
By 2019, nearby.com was stable, but my role as CEO no longer felt essential. I stepped down, thinking I could take a break and figure out my next move. What I didn’t anticipate was the arrival of COVID-19 just months later.
Suddenly, all income streams dried up. We had enough savings to last only five months, covering our home EMI, school fees, living costs, and support for our parents. My wife and I had serious discussions about selling our home, moving to the hills, homeschooling our kids, and becoming teachers in a government school.
It was then that I realized how financially irresponsible I had been. Despite years of work, I had no safety net beyond a few months. At 40, with all my experience and education, I was starting from scratch again.
Mindset One – Your Worst-Case Scenario Is Better Than You Think:
The first mindset that helped me through these moments was the realization that my “worst-case scenario” was still better than what many people face daily. My parents had worked tirelessly to give me an education, values, and resilience. Even if I lost everything, I would never be homeless or unable to feed my family.
When you truly understand that your absolute lowest point is survivable, failure becomes less frightening. You stop seeing it as the end and start viewing it as a detour.
Mindset Two – Be Like Water:
Bruce Lee once said, “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water.” Water adapts to any shape: a cup, a bottle, a river. It flows, it changes, it transforms.
For years, my identity was wrapped up in being a scientist. Letting that go taught me I could reinvent myself again and again. From scientist to consultant, entrepreneur to content creator, author to teacher, I have worn many hats, and each time I adapted to a new role.
When you see yourself not as one fixed identity, but as someone capable of evolving endlessly, you unlock limitless potential.
Mindset Three – Become Antifragile:
The third mindset comes from Nassim Taleb’s book Antifragile. Fragile things break under stress. Antifragile things grow stronger because of it.
Instead of crumbling when you fail, examine the reasons honestly, without ego. Identify the biggest factors that held you back, and work on them deliberately. Failure then becomes a form of training, making you more prepared, more resilient, and more capable of handling future challenges.
Your Failure Resume Is Your Success Resume:
Today, people see me with millions of followers, a thriving business, and a career I love. But just a few years ago, I was struggling, uncertain, and deeply aware of my shortcomings. What changed wasn’t luck alone it was the mindset I built through every failure.
Your failures are not stains on your record. They are the blueprint of your growth. They show you what you’re made of, what you can survive, and how you can rise again. The world may celebrate your success, but it’s your failure resume that truly tells your story.
Conclusion:
Life will never be a straight line of victories. The path is uneven, filled with wrong turns, unexpected detours, and painful setbacks. But these moments are not interruptions to your journey; they are part of it. Each failure forces you to reflect, adapt, and grow.
When you embrace your lowest points as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, you begin to see that the very experiences you once wanted to erase are the ones that give your story its depth and meaning. Success may earn applause, but it is the quiet resilience born from failure that shapes who you truly are.
Your failure resume is not a record of your shortcomings; it is the story of your strength. And one day, when you look back, you may find that those moments you thought were the end were the beginning of your most remarkable chapter.
FAQs:
1. What is a “failure resume” and why is it important?
A failure resume is a record of your mistakes, rejections, and setbacks, along with the lessons learned from them. It highlights resilience and adaptability, showing how failures contribute to long-term success.
2. How can sharing failures inspire others?
Openly sharing failures breaks the illusion of a perfect career path and helps others see that setbacks are normal. It creates a connection, builds trust, and encourages people to keep going despite challenges.
3. What mindset shifts help turn failure into success?
Three powerful shifts include: realizing your worst-case scenario is survivable, adapting like water to new roles and situations, and becoming “antifragile” by using challenges to grow stronger instead of breaking under pressure.
4. Does failing mean you are on the wrong path?
Not necessarily. Failure can be a detour that leads to a better path. Many successful people discover new passions, skills, and opportunities only after a major setback forces them to reevaluate their goals.
5. How can I create my own failure resume?
Start by listing your significant failures missed opportunities, rejections, and mistakes. Then note what each taught you. Reflect on patterns, mindset changes, and skills gained. This process turns past setbacks into a roadmap for future growth.