Ever notice how your best ideas show up right after something goes completely wrong? Same.

As someone who’s wildly competitive, losing has never sat well with me. Take this recent tech pitch competition. I was sure I’d win. When I didn’t, I was pissed. But somewhere between the stage and the drive home, the ideas started flowing. New directions. Better strategy. The kind of insight that only shows up after you’ve been knocked down a peg.

Here’s what I’ve learned: rejection creates the exact mental space where innovation happens. When we win, we rarely stop to question our process. When we lose, we’re forced to reimagine everything. That discomfort? It’s the birthplace of creativity.

The first version of your idea is rarely the best one. True excellence comes from iteration—refining, pivoting, and shaping until it shines. Like a diamond, brilliance takes pressure.

So, what setback are you facing right now that might actually be the beginning of your next breakthrough?

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