Chasing Failure

How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success

by Ryan Leak

4.7(318 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book challenges the idea that failure is something to be feared and avoided. Instead, it shows how embracing setbacks can help transform your life and open doors you never knew existed. Expect relatable stories, practical tips, and a fresh perspective that will fuel you to fearlessly pursue your greatest goals.

Introduction

Picture yourself standing at the edge of a basketball court, taking a shot you’ve never dared to try. You feel butterflies, but excitement rushes through your veins. That spark captures the essence of this entire book—stepping outside your comfort zone, ready to fail if it means chasing a bigger future. The pages ahead aren’t just theory; they’re a promise that real growth begins when you stop running from your fears.

We grow up hearing that failure is unacceptable, something that could derail us permanently. But this book flips that narrative. It claims that failure can build character, expand your worldview, and introduce you to unprecedented opportunities. Embracing it doesn’t mean seeking defeat—it means you’re prepared to learn as you go.

Over the next chapters, you’ll learn how the author chased his own high-stakes dream—trying to make an NBA team—and how the attempt led to an unexpected world of possibility. Each story and lesson invites you to examine your own ambitions and see how risking a wrong move can pay off in the end.

Before you can pursue your biggest ambitions, you must first be open to the teachable moments that come with failing.

Redefining Failure

Growing up, many of us believed that failing signaled the end of the road. Yet countless innovators, leaders, and even our favorite athletes share one defining trait: they collect flops before finding success. Reframing failure as a process rather than a personal flaw is the first major step in the journey.

One person’s missed basketball shots or canceled business ideas are often the ladder rungs to their greatest triumph. This is why it’s critical to see failures not as evidence that you should quit, but as proof you are pushing your own limits.

Real growth happens when you allow a mistake to shape your next steps. Ask yourself: How did this setback sharpen your skills or alter your perspective? Use every misstep as momentum for what comes next.

"Failure is an event, not an outfit. You don't have to wear it forever."

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What is Chasing Failure about?

"Chasing Failure: How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success" is a transformative book by Ryan Leak that redefines the narrative around failure. By offering a refreshing take on handling setbacks, Leak argues that embracing failure is not something to be dreaded but celebrated as a pathway to growth and unseen opportunities. Drawing from his personal journey and experiences, the book stitches relatable stories with actionable insights to reframe how we perceive falling short.

The book’s core themes revolve around the idea that failure is not a terminal defeat but a stepping stone toward success. Leak dives into topics that matter, such as mapping out personal goals, deciphering whether dreams align with career paths or remain hobbies, and fortifying resilience against rejection and shame. His unique proposition lies in converting failures into lifelong lessons, equipping readers with practical tools and a mindset shift necessary to chase their dreams unabashedly.

Why does this book matter? In today's success-driven world, "Chasing Failure" stands out by encouraging readers to face their fears and develop self-awareness through their failures. Its impact is transformative, empowering individuals to take leaps, learn from missteps, and subsequently, gear up for real success. By the last page, readers are primed to venture beyond comfort zones, transforming setbacks into setups for success.

Review of Chasing Failure

"Chasing Failure" by Ryan Leak is an impactful read for those who are wary of failure and unsure of navigating setbacks. One of the key strengths of this book is its candid sharing of Leak's personal experiences, making the daunting idea of failure feel relatable and approachable. The author's journey of pursuing an NBA dream, despite inevitable setbacks, demonstrates the power of resilience and perseverance.

Leak combines his engaging storytelling with practical advice, making the book accessible to anyone looking to reframe their mindset around failure. His style strikes a balance between motivational and instructive, offering readers tools to develop self-awareness and harness failure's potential as a motivator for future endeavors. Crucially, the book is not aimed solely at a professional crowd; instead, its universal message resonates across various stages and areas of life.

This book's relevance extends to ambitious dreamers, artists, corporate professionals, and anyone wrestling with fear of failure. It offers valuable insights into handling professional rejections with grace and harnessing life's inevitable missteps as learning moments. Core recommendations include wholeheartedly embracing failure as a journey towards success, rather than a pitfall to be avoided. For anyone tiptoeing around ambitious goals, this book offers not just encouragement, but practical tools and actionable wisdom to chart a course toward achieving them.

Who should read Chasing Failure?

Entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking methods to handle setbacks with resilience and pivot from failures.
Young professionals and early-career individuals striving to find their passion amidst career segments they may fail within.
Aspiring artists and creatives looking to channel rejection into opportunity, drawing inspiration from prominent personal journeys.
Life coaches and mentors seeking new perspectives and tools to guide clients through personal growth and life challenges.
Students and recent graduates eager to redefine success and build a mindset resilient to academic or career-related failures.

About the author

Ryan Leak is a best-selling author, executive coach, and transformational speaker. He is the CEO of a leadership development firm based in Dallas, training over 30,000 leaders annually from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams. With a reach of over 50,000 individuals every month, he has authored several books including "Chasing Failure" and "Leveling Up," both of which have been featured on major media outlets such as Good Morning America and The Today Show. He is also known for his expertise in leadership, communication, and professional development.