Persistence at Work and Life: Lessons from ‘Fall Down Seven Times’

“Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight” is a Japanese proverb about persistence and resilience. I have it printed and stuck on my wall. Why? It reminds me that failure isn’t permanent—and resilience comes from within.

A note: there’s an interesting Reddit discussion on why you stand up one more time than you fall down. (I take no responsibility for the rest of the content on Reddit!)

Why Resilience Matters

We all face moments when work and life feel overwhelming. Mistakes happen. Projects fail. Days go wrong.

That’s why this proverb resonates. You just need to stand up one more time.

But proverbs alone aren’t enough. To truly build resilience, we need tactics and mental strategies — tools that help us get up, even when it’s hard.

Failure is Not Permanent

I journal often. Not every day, but enough to process mistakes and failures. I remind myself that failure is temporary unless I let it be.

• What is in my control?
• What can I change?
• What can I try next?

This mindset is as true at work as in life. A failed release, a missed deadline, a tough meeting — these are opportunities to learn and adapt.

At home, showing my kids that mistakes happen — and demonstrating how to stand up — is equally important. It’s life in miniature: ups, downs, and the courage to try again.

Life Happens, And That’s Okay

When I’m metaphorically on the floor, I often scroll social media. It’s a distraction — but it can also inspire. I’ve cleaned my feed to follow people persevering through challenges. Their stories remind me I’m not alone.

Friends and family matter too. A quick conversation, a laugh, or advice can help me stand up and keep moving.

Perspective Changes Everything

How you view falling matters. I try to see it as neither good nor bad—just an event.

When I feel like giving up, I remind myself of my mental muscle. I have stood up countless times before—at work, at home, in life. Critical thinking helps me counter self-doubt.

At work, it looks like this: a project goes wrong. My first thought: What now? What can we learn? How do we improve?

Temporary setbacks aren’t permanent. They’re signals, lessons, and opportunities to stand up once more.

The Power of “Maybe”

“Maybe” is a freeing word. It reminds us that things are not fixed—they are possibilities. Alan Watts has a great talk about accepting events as neither good nor bad. I watch it when I’m struggling, to reset my mindset.

Nature as a Reset

Nature heals. Stepping outside, even for a short walk, reminds me of perspective. Problems shrink when compared to the vastness of the world. This is not just mindfulness—it’s practical resilience.

It's also a good idea to bring nature inside, into our workplaces - designing them with nature in mind is called Biophilic Design.

Resilience Is a Skill

Resilience is not innate—it’s a skill we develop through practice, reflection, and action.

At work, this means accepting challenges: difficult colleagues, setbacks, or bad leadership. Sometimes work is tough. Life is tough. But falling down is natural. Standing up again—even once more than you fell—is the key.

Practical Takeaways

1. Journal to process failure and identify what’s in your control.
2. Remember: failure is temporary unless you make it permanent.
3. Seek inspiration from people who persevere.
4. Take perspective - neither good nor bad, just events.
5. Step outside and connect with the world for clarity.
6. Show resilience in small ways daily.

And if you’re struggling, reach out for help. In the UK, the NHS support services are here to help.

Persistence is not easy but it’s possible. Fall down. Stand up. One more time than before.