Failures in my life and the lessons they taught me

I have experienced two major failures on my journey so far.

Failure One: Medical Entrance Exams

Ten years ago, I faced my first major setback-failing the medical entrance exam twice before finally succeeding on my third attempt. After my first and second failures, I felt completely lost. At eighteen, I believed that becoming a doctor was my only option-the one path destined for me. The weight of failure was almost unbearable.

However, during my third attempt, I shifted my focus to what I could control and set aside what I couldn’t. I recognized that I excelled in mathematics but struggled with linguistics, so I honed in on my strengths. I also learned to manage my time independently, even though I wasn’t as adept at handling the intense pressure of a competitive environment. I dedicated an entire year solely to self-improvement.

Most importantly, I found solace in my faith. Even though I was trying for the third time, I felt a sense of calm and trust that everything would work out. I even applied to a backup school, reassuring myself that if I didn’t make it into my dream school, it was all part of a bigger plan. Ultimately, with wholehearted devotion and acceptance of any outcome, I was admitted to the med school I had always dreamed of.

Failure Two: The Online Business Experiment

Two years ago, fresh out of med school, I decided to start a small online business. Driven by a desire to break free from the relentless whirlwind of everyday life, I planned a community website specifically for doctors and medical students. I envisioned a unique space where young and future doctors could connect, share experiences, and collaborate—a platform that would unite a doctor community that felt increasingly isolated in Korea. I even added a medical news section designed as a debate arena, which inspired the website name “DoctorAgora.”

Fueled by passion, I built the website, secured a domain, and even rented a shared office space for a few months. However, I soon learned that generating revenue from a community website is incredibly challenging, especially when targeting a niche group like doctors who often prefer traditional, well-established platforms. It became clear that not only was the model difficult to fund, but building a sizable, active community would likely take years.

In hindsight, I can attribute this failure to several factors: a lack of preparedness, courage, and finance. Yet, the most significant factor was my own arrogance. I mistakenly believed that success in one area could be easily transferred to another after reading a few books. I lacked self-awareness and neglected to make the sacrifices that life demands.

Unlike the first obstacle, there is no twist in this story. I accepted my failure and redirected my focus to my profession. In retrospect, I’m incredibly grateful for the experience—it introduced me to professionals from other fields I would never have met otherwise, and it taught me valuable lessons about online work, digital ecosystems, and social business skills.

Most importantly, I learned that I am not the type of person who thrives on unpredictability and instability. This realization only fueled my passion for my chosen profession more than ever before.

For my future self

At twenty-nine, as I write this, I hope that my future self-at thirty-nine-remembers these lessons well. 

I hope she remains someone who values dedication and devotion, and who continues to live life to the fullest.