Psychological Impact of High-Stakes Exams - High-stakes exams can create significant psychological pressure on young people [2] - Studies show that students who fail high-stakes exams are more likely to experience psychological distress, with 21% in Norway receiving psychological diagnoses and a significant percentage in Japan suffering from depression (57.9% with depression, 19.8% with severe depression) [3] - The importance assigned to these exams can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness when failure occurs [4] Overcoming Failure and Resilience - Failure doesn't have to define one's life; it can unlock new paths and opportunities [5] - Individuals possess a hidden "reset button" that can be activated by failure [5] - Support from loved ones is crucial in helping individuals reset after hitting rock bottom [7] Designing One's Life and Seizing Opportunities - Life can be designed, allowing individuals to take control and create their desired path [10][11] - Individuals can design their lives by seizing opportunities and determining if they align with their true calling, which requires dedicated practice (10,000 hours) [12][13] - Courage is essential to act on opportunities, and taking small steps forward can redeem past selves [15][16][17] Confidence and Reframing Failure - Self-confidence is a stronger predictor of success than IQ [18] - Failures are often emotional spirals and can be reframed as opportunities to begin again more intelligently [19]

Okay, good evening everyone. Today I'm going to take the opportunity to let you in to a small secret of my life. a collection of my most uninmable moments, my failure resume.As a school principal, I don't really get to often talk about how often I've also failed in life. But today, I want to share with you about the most difficult exam I ever had to give. Any guesses.My driving license exam. It took me about six, yes I said it right, six retakes before I actually got my first driving license. And guess what ...