I Came Second… But It Felt Like I Failed

About this episode

Hilary Saxton reflects on the feelings of pride and disappointment after placing second in a speaking competition, exploring how expectations shape our emotions and offering a framework for recognizing personal narratives and progress.

Hilary Saxton shares a raw and honest reflection on what it really feels like to “almost win.” After placing second in a high-level speaking competition, she found herself caught between pride and disappointment, and realised this is something we all experience. In this episode, Hilary unpacks why doing well can still feel like failure, and how our expectations shape our emotions more than the actual result. She introduces a simple framework to help you recognise the stories you’re telling yourself, the progress you’re overlooking, and the actions you’re avoiding. Whether it’s business, fitness, money, or personal goals, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success actually looks like. You’ll walk away with a powerful shift in perspective and practical questions to get yourself moving again. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still falling short, this one will hit home. www.hilarysaxton.com hilary@hilarysaxton.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Hilary Saxton

Topics covered

• failure
• success
• expectations
• personal growth
• self-reflection
• motivation

Keywords

• almost win
• second place
• emotional expectations
• personal goals
• success redefined
• self-improvement
• motivation strategies

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