How Simple Words Gave Me Strength to Keep Going
Life throws challenges at us when we least expect them. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we feel like giving up.
But what if a few simple phrases could change everything? Let me tell you how simple words saw me through that struggle.
My Journey: From Employee to Failed Business Owner
Back in 2001, I started working at a small bookshop. For ten years, I dreamed of opening a bookstore of my own.
In 2012, that dream finally came true. My co-founder and I opened our first bookstore.
We were so excited and full of big plans. We imagined customers filling the shop, children picking their favorite stories, and writers coming in for book signings.
But then reality came crashing in.
When Everything Fell Apart
By mid-2013, our bookstore had closed its doors—just one year and three months after opening.
We failed. My partner left, and I was broke, embarrassed, and lost.
What would people think of me?
But something interesting happened during that dark time as I was figuring out how to rebuild.
I realized that certain phrases I’d been telling myself to survive actually became my armor. They weren’t fancy motivational quotes. They were simple words that helped me build my new business, Wardoh Books, from scratch, alone.
Today, I want to share them with you.
The 7 Phrases That Changed My Life
1. “Failure is a lesson, not the end.”
When my bookstore closed, I could have given up completely. Many people told me to find a “safe job” and forget about being an entrepreneur.
But I chose to see it differently. Every mistake I made taught me something valuable:
- I learned which books customers actually wanted (the “classics and educational” pivot).
- I discovered better ways to manage money.
- I understood the importance of partnerships.
That failure became my greatest teacher. When I rebuilt the business on my own, I succeeded—because I had learned from my mistakes.
Remember: Failing doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you experienced.
2. “Today’s hardship is only temporary.”
There were nights I couldn’t sleep during the rebuild. I remember sitting beside my printer at 2 a.m., printing flyers and book covers, eyes burning from exhaustion.
In those moments, it felt like the struggle would never end. I kept thinking, “Will my life always be this hard?”
But it wasn’t permanent. Those sleepless nights were just a phase. Now, whenever I face tough times, I remind myself: “This is temporary. Tomorrow will be different.”
3. “I am stronger than my problems.”
I’ll never forget the day I published my own book during the rebuild. I was so proud. Then the printed copies arrived.
The ink was fading. The cover looked cheap. The font was so small that readers complained they couldn’t even enjoy the story. I was devastated.
I wanted to hide. But instead, I fixed it. I reprinted the entire thing with better quality, a clearer font, and a new cover design.
That experience taught me something powerful: I could solve problems instead of running from them. You’re stronger than you think.
4. “I rely on discipline, not emotion.”
Emotions are tricky. Some days, I feel motivated. Other days, I just want to stay in bed.
If I only worked when I felt like it, I would never accomplish anything. So I learned to build habits and routines during the rebuild:
- Wake up at the same time every day.
- Work on important tasks before checking emails.
- Keep going, even when I don’t feel inspired.
Success tip: Don’t wait for motivation. Build discipline—and motivation will follow.
5. “1% daily improvement leads to great results.”
After my first business failed, I felt completely overwhelmed. Starting over with that $8,000 loan seemed impossible.
Then I discovered a simple truth: you don’t need to change everything overnight. Instead of chasing perfection, I focused on small, steady progress:
- Read one chapter about business every day.
- Talk to one potential customer each week.
- Improve one small thing about my product.
Those tiny steps didn’t seem like much, but after a year, I had a real, growing business again.
6. “Patience is my secret weapon.”
We live in a world that expects instant results. But real success takes time.
My bookstore didn’t just fail because I lacked patience, but it was a factor. We made rushed decisions and didn’t give things time to grow.
When I started my second attempt (the rebuild), I made patience my top priority:
- I took time to understand my customers before expanding.
- I managed that $8,000 loan slowly instead of spending it quickly.
- I built relationships over months, not days.
Patience isn’t weakness. Patience is power.
7. “This hardship is building my strength.”
Every difficult moment you face is making you stronger.
My business failure hurt. The sleepless nights were painful. The embarrassment was real.
But all of that built my character. It made me tougher, wiser, and more capable. Now, when challenges come, I feel grateful—because I know I’m being trained for something greater.
How to Use These Phrases in Your Own Life
You might be thinking, “These are nice words, but will they actually help me?”
Here’s what I suggest:
1. Write them down.
Put these phrases on your phone, mirror, or notebook. Read them every morning.
2. Say them out loud.
When you’re facing a problem, say these words to yourself. Hearing them gives them power.
3. Believe them deeply.
Don’t just read them — feel them. Let them sink into your heart.
4. Share them with others.
When your friends are struggling, share these phrases with them. Teaching others strengthens your own belief.
My Message to You
If you’re going through a hard time right now, I want you to know something:
You’re not alone.
Every successful person you admire has failed — often more than once. The only difference is, they didn’t stop.
Your current struggle is preparing you for your future success.
Those sleepless nights? They’re building your work ethic.
That failure? It’s teaching you lessons no classroom ever could.
That rejection? It’s redirecting you to something better.
Don’t give up. Your breakthrough might be just around the corner.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Words
Words are more powerful than we realize. The things we tell ourselves shape our reality.
If you keep saying, “I can’t do this,” you won’t.
If you keep saying, “This is too hard,” it will be.
But if you fill your mind with strong, positive words, you’ll find the courage to keep going.
These seven phrases saved me during my darkest days. They gave me strength when I had nothing else. They helped me rebuild my life after failure.
Now I’m sharing them with you.
Take them. Use them. Let them give you the same strength they gave me.
Because you deserve success. You deserve happiness. And you absolutely deserve to win.
Remember: Your story isn’t over yet. This is just one chapter. Keep writing.
What phrase helps you the most during difficult times?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
