Why Fading Isn’t Failing: How to Embrace Uncertainty and Find New Success
Discover how shifting your mindset can turn moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and transformation
Ever felt like your success is slipping away, like a river that starts strong but fades before reaching the sea?
That’s how life sometimes feels, right? You start something with excitement, momentum builds, and then—nothing. Progress halts, uncertainty creeps in, and you’re left wondering if this is it. Did you fail? Or is this just a lull before things pick up again?
What if I told you… fading doesn’t mean failure? Uncertainty isn’t a sign you’re on the wrong path; it’s an opportunity to discover a new direction.
Life’s journey is like a river.
The river doesn’t always flow in a straight line. It winds, hits obstacles, and sometimes even dries up for a while. But here’s the thing: just because the river fades doesn’t mean it’s dead. It’s reshaping, redirecting, and carving a new course.
And this isn’t just about personal journeys—it happens in communities and industries too. Currently, there’s this whole kerfuffle in the WordPress world that’s spiraling deeper into negativity. Currently, it feels like the community is split in two—some people are sounding the alarm like it’s doomsday, others are shrugging it off like it’s not that deep.
Honestly, it’s sad to see.
I’ve been in this game long enough to recognize that cycles happen. Things change, evolve and yes, fade.
WordPress is a product, a tool — but more than that, it’s a community. One that’s been built on innovation, collaboration, and yes, even some heated disagreements. But what if we shift our focus from what could go wrong to what could go right?
During a mastermind chat, one of my colleagues made an interesting point: WordPress itself likely won’t fail… but it might fade.
Think about that for a second. Fading isn’t failure.
It’s softer, more gradual. It doesn’t scream catastrophe; it whispers evolution. WordPress might not stay the dominant force in the web world forever, but does that mean it’s all downhill? Not even close.
Imagine WordPress as a river. It doesn’t stop flowing, but the current can change direction over time.
Struggling with Uncertainty?
Feeling frustrated when progress just… stops? I know I do. And I bet you’ve been there too.
It feels like all the hard work, the effort you’ve poured in, suddenly means nothing. Like you’ve missed something. Maybe you start questioning your ability to finish what you started.
And I know you’ve tried to fix it.
Here’s what most people do when they try to fight uncertainty:
They chase the wrong goals—thinking that more effort will get things back on track.
They set out to control every little detail, becoming rigid in their approach.
They compare themselves to others, assuming everyone else has it all figured out while they’re stuck.
But the result? It gets worse.
You start feeling overwhelmed.
Then, you get anxious about your next steps.
Leads to, you guessed it, burnout. Possibly, even abandoning your dreams.
How do I know? Because I used to be like that. I’ve been caught in the loop of trying to force progress, only to see everything crumble when the unexpected hit.
I wanted to kick uncertainty out of my life. I love creating, but I can’t survive if I’m constantly fighting the flow.
So, instead of trying to control the river, what if I just let it guide me?
Now, I’ve found the solution.
Most advice doesn’t work because it’s all about pushing harder, staying on one fixed course, and never deviating. But life doesn’t work like that. Rivers change course, and so do we.
So, here’s my best advice:
Reflection: Take time regularly to reflect. What’s working, and what isn’t? It’s not about doing more, but doing what matters.
Flexibility: Be open to adapting. It’s okay to change direction, adjust goals, or even let go of something that no longer serves you.
Focus on the Process: Instead of obsessing over the end result, start appreciating the progress you make daily. This shift will help you build resilience.
And why does this advice work? Because instead of resisting life’s natural flow, you’re learning to move with it. Fighting against uncertainty is like trying to swim upstream—it only leaves you exhausted.
Do you hate feeling like you’re failing when things don’t go as planned?
Do you hate constantly comparing yourself to others, thinking they’re doing better than you?
Do you hate the anxiety that comes with not knowing the next step?
Nope. What you truly want is:
To trust that your path is unfolding, even if it’s not in a straight line.
To embrace uncertainty as part of growth, not a sign of failure.
To feel fulfilled by your efforts, regardless of external outcomes.
So, the next time you feel like your river is fading, remind yourself: the river never truly dries up—it’s just changing direction. So, flow with it, don’t fight it.