So you failed? Something went wrong? Life's s@*t!!

So exam results are out, it's either a happy time or one of bitter disappointment and regret.

If you passed your exams then WOO HOO!! Go you. You've seen first hand how hard work pays off and you should completely relish this feeling. Remember all that hard work and worry? Well now you know it's all worth it ;)

BUT if you're not feeling like the above annoying paragraph, then this could be the post for you...

What do you do when you've failed your exams?

Firstly know you're not the first and you won't be the last. You're not alone.

Also, failure doesn't mean that's it. It's not the end. It's just the beginning my dear!

Do you believe that if you fail then that's it? Where does that belief come from? Because it's certainly not true. 

Failure is here in your life experience to TEACH YOU SOMETHING. Failure, whilst disappointing and a bit embarrassing, is here for a reason. Everything happens for a reason and if you can't see that yet, then stop crying and wipe your eyes, because I promise the answer will be revealed to you.

The British education system is not for everyone. It's certainly no perfect standard for which to measure yourself against. It itself is flawed and ridiculous and the ridiculousness of it all is one of the main reasons I left education. It doesn't cater for everyone. It's not inclusive and in my opinion is an unfair way of measuring 16 year olds.

Learning how to grow from disappointment or failure is one of the best skills you can develop, and I encourage you to master it! 

If you're not scared then you're not growing, is some of the best advice I've picked up along my way. And I urge you to let that sink in.

If somethings not scary, or hard, or challenging, then you're not growing. IF something is scary, or hard, or challenging, THEN YOURE GROWING, and that a bloody good thing! Life is  ALLLLLL about growth - simple!

So I'm growing, great. So what do I actually do I do now then?

Well I've devised some probing questions to help push you gently along and find some answers. They might feel a bit raw and even painful to answer. I urge you to be as honest as possible. Just answer the questions, see what comes up. If the answers scare you - definitely do it. 

 - What did you learn from this situation?

Maybe that you're not good at exams? That the revision you did wasn't effective? That you panic and forget stuff? That you simply didn't do enough? That the education system is annoying and unfair? What ever it is, acknowledge it and put in place steps to overcome this.

- What can you do to improve now going forward in your life? 

What ever the situation taught you, acknowledge it and put in place steps to overcome this from ever happening again. What can you do next time to change the outcome. What have you LEARNED?

- Looking back, what did you do right? What did you do best at? 

Always focus on the positives. Yeah you might not be great at maths, but focus on your strengths. For they are your skills and talents. And your skills and talents are what will make you successful. They might not be the same as everyone else, but that's a good thing! You certainly don't need a GCSE in Maths to be successful in your life (yes, you might need it if you want to go to university but that doesn't define success). 

 - What do you really want to do now?

Focus on your dreams and goals, not the path of your friends or others. Be honest with yourself and your parents, listen to that inner voice that is whispering to you. 

- What could be your next steps towards this dream or goal?

Get investigating. 

- Is your path totally blocked because you've failed your exams?

Have you asked? That college place might still accept you. Don't write something off until you KNOW. Is there a way to retake a failed exam? Investigate your options.

- Is there something positive you can do to help refocus you and your thoughts? 

Focus on you. What could you do to help feed your soul and your purpose?

And if you think you're the only one , here's a list of people who failed numerous times, or dropped out of school at 16, or who were told they'd never make anything of themselves, who were told they weren't good enough. 

Point being - KEEP TRYING, DON'T GIVE UP, STAY FOCUSSED, BE YOU. 

Bill Gates
Walk Disney
Alan SugarAlbert Einstein 
Winston Churchill 
Thomas Edison 
Oprah Winfrey
Jk Rowling
the Beatles
Simon Cowell
Jonny Depp
Richard Branson