Embracing Failure and the Power of Imagination

Poverty brings with it a relentless burden of fear, stress, and, at times, depression. It signifies a thousand small humiliations and challenges that can feel overwhelming. Climbing out of poverty through sheer determination is a significant achievement, but the reality of poverty itself is often romanticized only by those who fail to understand its harsh realities.

At your age, what I feared most was not poverty, but failure. Despite my lack of motivation during my university years, where I spent more time in the coffee bar writing stories than attending lectures, I had a knack for passing exams. For years, that was the measure of success for me and my peers. Talent and intelligence alone, however, cannot shield anyone from the whims of fate.

Driven by a fear of failure as much as a desire for success, I had to define what failure meant for myself. The world is quick to provide criteria for success, and by conventional standards, I faced significant setbacks just seven years after graduating. My marriage had ended, I was unemployed, a single parent, and as poor as one could be in modern Britain without being homeless. Both the fears of my parents and my own had materialized, and by every usual measure, I was the biggest failure I knew.

Yet, I am not here to suggest that failure is enjoyable. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no expectation of a fairy-tale resolution. I did not know how long the tunnel would stretch, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was more hope than reality.

So why do I speak about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure stripped away the non-essential. It forced me to stop pretending to be anything other than who I was and to focus all my energy on finishing the work that truly mattered to me. Had I succeeded in other areas, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one field where I felt I truly belonged.

My greatest fear had come true, and I was still alive. I still had a daughter whom I adored, an old typewriter, and a big idea. In that sense, rock bottom became the solid foundation upon which I rebuilt my life. You may never experience failure on the same scale, but some degree of failure is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not live at all, in which case, you fail by default.

Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained through exams. It taught me about myself in ways that nothing else could. I discovered a strong will and more discipline than I had suspected. I also found friends whose value far exceeded any material measure. Knowing that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means you are secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself or the strength of your relationships until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, hard-earned and worth more than any qualification.

Given the chance to speak to my 21-year-old self, I would say that personal happiness lies in understanding that life is not a checklist of acquisitions or achievements. Your qualifications and CV do not define your life, though many people confuse the two. Life is complex and difficult, beyond anyone’s complete control. Accepting this reality with humility will help you navigate its challenges.

While I could argue for the value of bedtime stories, my appreciation for imagination extends beyond personal experience. Imagination is not just the human ability to envision what is not, fueling all invention and innovation. It is also the power to empathize with those whose experiences we have never shared.

One of the most formative experiences of my life came before Harry Potter, during one of my earliest jobs. Working at the African Research Department of Amnesty International’s London headquarters, I read hastily written letters from those risking imprisonment to inform the world of their plight. I saw photographs of the missing and read testimonies of torture. I met people who had been displaced or exiled for speaking out against their governments.

I will never forget a young African torture victim who, despite his own suffering, wished me happiness. The pain and horror I witnessed, and the kindness shown to me in such dire circumstances, deepened my understanding of both human cruelty and goodness. I learned about the power of empathy and collective action through Amnesty International, where ordinary people mobilize to help those they will never meet.

Human beings, unlike any other creature, can learn and understand without direct experience. We can think ourselves into others’ places. This power, though morally neutral, can be used for manipulation or understanding. Many choose not to exercise their imagination, preferring to stay within the confines of their own experience. But those who do not empathize enable real monsters, colluding with apathy.

One of the lessons I learned from my early experiences is reflected in a quote by the Greek author Plutarch: “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” This statement underscores our intrinsic connection with the world and our ability to influence others simply by existing. We do not need magic to transform our world; we already carry the power to imagine a better future within ourselves.

In life, it is not the length but the quality that matters. Just as in a tale, life’s value lies not in its duration but in its richness.