Rethinking What It Means to Fail

In this inspiring episode of The 30-Day Year Podcast, Dave and Jacq Conway explore one of the most misunderstood forces in personal growth: failure.

Instead of treating it as a signal to quit, they invite listeners to see failure as research and refinement, the process by which you evolve into the kind of person capable of achieving your 30-Day Year goals.

From the early days of struggling on camera to getting beaten at pool by a friend nicknamed “The Flash,” Dave shares stories that prove every loss hides a lesson, and every setback builds persistence, desire, and humility. You’ll love this episode, dive in!

Key Takeaways from Episode 37:

1. Failure Isn’t Fatal, It’s Feedback (02:01)

Jacq opens the conversation by challenging the stigma around failure, calling it “market research for your soul.” When you fail, you’re simply discovering what still needs work. Failure only becomes dangerous when it erodes your confidence instead of refining your skills.

2. Desire Is the Engine of Persistence (05:29)

Dave explains that persistence and desire are inseparable. And that you don’t need persistence when everything’s going well, only when things fall apart. That’s why desire must be built daily. It’s the fuel that keeps you moving through rejection, setbacks, and discomfort!

3. Small Wins Keep You on Track (07:20)

Jacq reminds listeners that progress often shows up in small ways, for example, one new client, a slightly better presentation, or a small audience that truly connects. These wins are proof that growth is happening, even when the results don’t look huge yet. Recognizing small wins keeps motivation alive and prevents burnout.

4. Reflection Beats Rejection (08:58)

Dave shares a powerful habit: after every sales presentation or talk, he asks himself a specific question that keeps him humble and focused on improvement, turning moments of failure into data points for growth. Reflection transforms rejection into refinement. What is the question Dave asks himself? Tune into the episode to find out!

5. Stay Too Busy to Notice You’re Failing (10:15)

One of the most memorable stories in this episode comes from Dave’s “Book 5 Sales Calls in 5 Days” workshop. A participant felt crushed after sending 27 messages with zero replies, only for Dave to realize he had sent 30 messages and hadn’t noticed either. What’s the lesson? Stay so immersed in purposeful action that failure never has time to take root in your mind!

6. Outgrow Your Ego, and Find Bigger Rooms (16:53)

To grow, you have to play against better and stronger opponents! In business, relationships, and even in pool. Dave’s story about climbing from Division 3 to the Masters League reveals a profound realization: if you’re not failing, you’re not stretching. Ego keeps people stuck, but failure invites humility and mastery.

Final Insight

Failure doesn’t define you, it refines you. The real tragedy isn’t losing; it’s letting loss stop you. When you fall in love with your goal and the people you serve, you’ll persist through anything. Because the truth is, the only time you really fail… is when you quit.

Ready to discover how to learn from failure, strengthen your persistence and desire, and develop the mindset required to achieve your own 30-Day Year?