Overcoming Fear and Failure | Zixiao HUANG | TEDxPennon Qingdao Youth

TEDx TalksAbout 3 min readAug 26, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Key Concepts:

  • Fear of failure
  • Mistake notebook
  • Learning from mistakes
  • Resilience
  • Growth mindset

The Story of Leo's Fear of Failure

Juan Desa, also known as Leo (meaning lion: strong, bright, and fearless), shares a personal story about overcoming his fear of failure. He begins by mentioning his family's expectations for him to be brave and confident like a lion.

The First Math Test and Initial Success

Leo recounts his initial success in a grade one math test, scoring 99 points. He describes the feeling as "fireworks exploding" and the joy he shared with his parents.

The Second Test and the Onset of Fear

The second math test resulted in a score of 96, causing Leo's smile to "slip away right away." He experienced anxiety, imagining black numbers chasing him, and woke up with a racing heart.

Mrs. Kay's Advice: "Failing is just learning with a loud voice."

Leo confided in his teacher, Mrs. Kay, expressing his fear of failing. Mrs. Kay's response, "Failing is just learning with a loud voice," resonated with him and slightly reduced his fear. This quote is a key turning point in Leo's story.

The Mistake Notebook: A Tool for Learning

Inspired by Mrs. Kay's advice, Leo created a "mistake notebook." He would review his wrong answers every evening, reflecting on what he had learned from them. He would close the book and say, "Thank you for teaching me." This is a step-by-step process for learning from errors.

Test Number Three: Overcoming Anxiety and Achieving Success

Before the third test, Leo felt his heart pounding but reminded himself, "I'm ready." He scored 98, demonstrating his progress and resilience.

The Fourth Test and the Realization of Resilience

On the fourth test, Leo scored 94. Initially, he felt disappointed, but he realized that setbacks are temporary. He understood that "numbers like the sun sometimes hide behind class, but if I keep working, 99 can always come back to shine."

Thomas Edison's Example: Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Leo's father shared the story of Thomas Edison, who, when told he had failed a thousand times, responded, "I didn't fail. I just found one thousand ways that didn't work." This anecdote reinforces the idea of viewing failure as a step towards success.

The Light Bulb Analogy: A Tiny Creature Star

Leo pictures a light bulb as a "tiny creature star," symbolizing the potential for success even after numerous attempts.

Call to Action: Open Your Own Mistake Notebook

Leo encourages his audience to embrace failure as a learning opportunity in various aspects of life, including math, music, basketball, and even learning to tie shoes. He urges them to "open your own mistake notebook, study your runs, and keep walking."

Conclusion: The Little Lion is Still Learning

Leo concludes by stating that he is still learning how to "roar" and expresses his eagerness to hear the stories of others. The main takeaway is that embracing mistakes and learning from them is essential for growth and success.

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