Almost isn't a pretty word.

In few contexts does the word almost actually signify something positive. I almost got the job, I almost passed the test, I almost had enough money, and so on and so forth. No matter the context, the word almost just doesn't bring about feelings of optimism and cheerfulness. Instead, it brings about feelings of coming so close, yet still being so far, feelings of defeat, and feelings of inadequacy.

It doesn't matter if you almost got the job, if you almost dated the person of your dreams, if you almost got the grade that you needed to pass, because when it comes down to it, none of those things actually happened. At least, that's how it always feels in the moment. In those moments of almosts, it's hard to see them as anything beyond their face value. You wanted something to happen, and it didn't. Simple as that, right? Or is it?

Does almost really have to be such a negative word or can it be turned into something better?

What if instead of focusing on how close you came and the things you didn't achieve, you focused on the things you did? Failure doesn't have to be an end all, be all, and it shouldn't be. Just because you almost achieved something this time around doesn't mean that you can't actually achieve it the next time. Imagine how much different the word almost could be if it were to be used as motivation instead of demotivation.

You might not have achieved what you were hoping to this time around, but you came so close, and that's absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. Every success story has its trials, its tribulations, and above all else, its failures.

If you're one of those people that manage to succeed the first time you attempt something, congratulations! That's absolutely amazing for you and you should be proud of what you've accomplished! But, even if you're not one of those people (and let's face it -- most of us aren't), that doesn't make you any less of a success story. It just means your story is going to have a few more chapters to it.

Instead of looking at almosts as things you didn't do, try looking at them as the things you did do. You might not have succeeded in the ways that you wanted to, but with every almost comes two very important realizations: what you're capable of doing and what kept you from meeting your goal.

Through every failure and every almost, you gained invaluable experience. You learned what you did right, but you also learned what you needed to improve upon. You learned what worked and what didn't. You made progress towards a goal, and while you might not have achieved it that time around, you've made steps toward achieving it the next time. Failure is only the end of your story if you let it be, and almosts are only almost if you leave them that.

So, the next time you almost do something, instead of focusing on how close you came but didn't, focus on the things you did do and turn them into something positive. Almosts won't stay almosts forever, and you can (and will) achieve whatever you set your mind to, as long as you're willing to take that second chance.