If you try to do your best there is no failure.

Host: The calm of the evening settled into the room, the quiet offering space for deep reflection. Jack sat at the table, his fingers resting lightly on his cup, considering the meaning behind Mike Farrell's words. Jeeny stood near the window, her gaze turned outward as she thought about the simplicity and depth of the statement.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what Mike Farrell said: ‘If you try to do your best there is no failure.’ It’s such a comforting thought, isn’t it? The idea that as long as we put in our best effort, even if things don’t turn out the way we hope, we haven’t truly failed. Failure isn’t defined by the result, but by our effort and intention.”

Jack: “Yes, exactly. Farrell is showing us that success isn’t just about the outcome—it’s about the process. If we do our best, then we’ve already succeeded, because we’ve given it our all. So often we tie failure to specific results, but he’s reminding us that the real success comes from committing to something fully, from doing our best regardless of whether we achieve the exact goal we set out for.”

Jeeny: “Right. And I think there’s something really freeing in that idea. It takes away the pressure of perfection or the fear of not getting it right. If our best effort is enough, then we can let go of the idea that we’re somehow failing just because the result doesn’t match our expectations. The act of trying, of giving our all, is in itself valuable and meaningful.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened as they both reflected on how much pressure society often places on success and achievement, and how easy it is to get discouraged when the outcomes don’t align with the effort. Jack’s fingers rested on the table, while Jeeny’s expression softened, considering the freedom that comes from releasing the fear of failure and focusing on doing our best.

Jack: “It makes me think about how much we focus on results, on what we achieve, rather than on the effort we put in. We often think that if we don’t reach the finish line or get the exact result we want, we’ve failed. But Farrell is showing us that effort is the true measure of success. If we’ve done our best, we haven’t failed, no matter what the outcome.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about shifting the focus from the outcome to the process. Farrell is saying that as long as we put in the effort, the result is almost secondary. And I think that gives us the freedom to approach things without the weight of failure hanging over us. We can stop worrying about the outcome and just focus on giving our best, knowing that in doing so, we’ve already succeeded.”

Jack: “And that mindset is so powerful because it allows us to keep moving forward. If we see failure as only about results, then we’re less likely to try again after we don’t succeed. But when we understand that the real success is in doing our best, we’re more likely to keep going, to keep learning and growing, regardless of the results.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and I think it’s a reminder that growth isn’t always about getting things perfect. Sometimes it’s about progress, about showing up and giving your best each day. It’s the consistent effort that builds who we are, even if the results aren’t immediately visible. That’s what makes this idea so freeing—it lets us focus on doing the best we can, without the pressure of achieving some ideal outcome.”

Host: The quiet in the room grew deeper as they reflected on how much freedom comes from letting go of the need for perfection and embracing the idea that effort is the true measure of success. Mike Farrell had shown them that there is no failure if we’ve truly given our best—because success is not defined by the outcome, but by the commitment to try. Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, while Jeeny’s gaze turned from the window back to him, both understanding the power of focusing on effort rather than outcome.

Jack: “So, Farrell is really showing us that failure doesn’t exist if we’re trying our best. It’s not about the results—it’s about the effort we put in, the commitment we make to give our all, and knowing that progress is the true measure of success.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. When we focus on doing our best, we give ourselves permission to embrace the process, to learn from the journey. We can remove the fear of failure, because we know that as long as we’re doing our best, we’re already succeeding.”

Host: The evening had fully settled in, the quiet understanding between them a reminder that success isn’t about achieving perfection, but about giving our best effort, no matter the outcome. Mike Farrell had reminded them that true success lies in the effort, in the commitment to show up and try, and that there is no failure when we focus on doing our best. The world outside had darkened, but inside, there was light—a recognition that effort and growth are the true measures of success, not the results.