.png)
I was making strides in the right direction, but the start of my JackJumpers NBL season didn’t go as planned. In the first 10 games, I averaged just 5 points per game, and we had a losing record. Fast-forward a few months: we ended the season in the NBL Grand Final with me playing the best basketball of my life.
So, what changed? I learned to embrace failure—and that single meta-skill unlocked a whole new level of performance.
The Power of Meta-Skills
Some skills are more helpful than others because they enhance your ability to learn, adapt, and perform in multiple aspects of life. These are called meta-skills. Researchers also refer to them as transferable skills, cognitive tools, or lifelong learning skills.
Think about Kobe Bryant: he went from being the best basketball player in the world to winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film almost overnight. That’s not luck or some special gene. It’s his knowledge and application of meta-skills—the underlying abilities that enable you to succeed in various fields.
There are many meta-skills needed to thrive in basketball, but embracing failure has helped me achieve everything I’d ever dreamed of.
A Fresh Start, An Unexpected Hurdle
After three years in Adelaide, I chose to start fresh with the Tasmania JackJumpers—a new club that offered an exciting opportunity to level up as a player. But my first season in Tasmania began on shaky ground: the team started 2–6, I was averaging 5 points a game, and my confidence was slipping.
I found myself playing timid, fearful, and overly concerned with pleasing my coaches—essentially trying not to make mistakes. In basketball, as in life, playing it safe often backfires. Missed shots started to affect my mindset, and I caught myself thinking:
“I’m not as good as I thought.”“I’m a failure.”
I let each slip-up become a personal indictment. Rather than see mistakes as feedback, I viewed them as proof that I wasn’t good enough. That had to change.
A Moment of Reflection: The Turning Point
Then fate intervened: COVID-19 ran through the team, and we were put on a two-week lockdown. At first, it felt like a forced pause, but it soon became the best thing for me. I used the downtime to reflect on my entire journey and noticed a disturbing pattern:
In college, I hid behind excuses to avoid truly owning my failures.
In relationships, I dodged difficult conversations out of fear of looking foolish.
Early in the JackJumpers season, I repeated the same pattern of fearing mistakes.
I realized the worst moments in my life weren’t just about losing—they were about running from the battle. If I wanted a different outcome, I had to break the cycle and run toward the discomfort.
Committing to Failure to Win
Once lockdown lifted, we had a week of training before our next game. I decided to throw myself into the deep end:
Guard the best: Instead of picking the weakest opponent, I chose to challenge the star players at practice.
Hunt shots: Rather than passing up opportunities, I took every open look—even if it meant more misses initially.
Yes, I made mistakes. Yes, it was sometimes embarrassing. But after seeing how “playing it safe” hadn’t worked, I was ready to learn through failing forward.
The Results: A Fairytale Run
The second half of the season was a complete turnaround: I averaged 15 points per game, and we made a fairytale run to the finals. We eliminated Melbourne in the semis and found ourselves in the NBL Grand Final in our very first year as a club.
Every misstep or bad shot taught me something new about my game. Instead of letting missed shots define me, I used them as reference points to adjust, improve, and grow. The more I failed, the more I evolved. That is the essence of a meta-skill: it’s not just for a single game or season; it’s a mindset shift that lasts.
3 Actionable Steps to Embrace Failure
Reframe Mistakes
Swap the word “failure” for “feedback.” Each missed shot is data telling you what to adjust.
Ask yourself: “What did I learn from that moment?” instead of “Why did I mess up?”
Seek Micro-Failures in Practice
Regularly push beyond your comfort zone during drills. Challenge yourself with harder shots and tougher matchups.
By normalizing small failures in practice, you build resilience and adaptability.
Track & Celebrate Lessons
Keep a log of one lesson learned after every game or training session.
Celebrate these “Aha!” moments to reinforce the idea that mistakes are stepping stones.
Conclusion: Turning Failure into Fuel
Embracing failure is the meta-skill that changes the game. It flips the script from “I messed up, so I’m not good enough” to “I messed up, so I’m learning.” In basketball, as in life, it’s impossible to avoid mistakes—but it’s entirely possible to use them as catalysts for growth.
By running toward failure, you free yourself from the shackles of perfectionism and unlock your true potential. Whether you’re fighting for a starting spot or venturing into a new job, embracing failure is the fastest way to evolve. It’s a liberating skill that keeps you hungry, confident, and open to every opportunity that comes your way.
And here’s the thing: once you master the art of failing forward, it no longer matters how many times you miss the shot. Your potential to rise—and rise again—becomes limitless.
Where can you embrace more failure in your own life?
(Hit reply or comment with your thoughts—I’d love to hear about your journey!)