Failure Is A Part Of Success

5 months ago

In 2022, Boston Celtics looked primed for another NBA Championship win. Led by the multi-faceted Jayson Tatum and the somewhat underrated Jaylen Brown, they looked the favourite against the Curry-led Golden State Warriors.

By the time the series ended, the Warriors had wiped the floor with the Boston Celtics. Suddenly, the often reliable Tatum couldn't find his rhythm. Marcus Smart's street wise defending deserted him. Not even the veteran Al Horford could lift the young Celtics. By the end of Game 6, the Warriors had taught the Celtics a lesson. It was really a harsh one too.

When they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, they looked primed to put the overreaching Miami Heat to sleep. Jayson Tatum was desperate to slay the ghosts that besotted him against the Warriors. Once again, they fell short.

Two years later and Boston finally added Championship number 18 to pull clear of rival Los Angeles Lakers. This time, it was different. With the right personnel and loads of experience, they put the Mavericks to sleep in five games. Throughout the series, only the Game 4 blowout loss to the Mavericks raised some nerves. Boston dominated all the way. They learnt from years of repeated failure. They finally found success.

Now, before the Euros started England were touted as one of the heavy favourites. After two underwhelming displays, pundits have suddenly dropped them behind the likes of the very impressive Spain, perennial heavyweights France and even Portugal. Not a surprise considering the fact that the littlest of English football's success is magnified beyond reason. So it's okay if their missteps are laid bare too.

However, I sincerely think it's no time to panic, yet. They didn't start well in the last Euros too and only ended up losing out at the last hurdle. So these England guys are not done - not yet. But, did they learn from failing at the last hurdle at the last Euros? Have they failed enough to finally achieve success?

Failure is a crucial part of success. The experience and the drive to right the wrongs can be invaluable.

We will be watching.