--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Failure is what we're all running from…" description: "\"Failure is what we're all running from, we're always running toward success with failure at our back.\" — Natalie Goldberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png" --- # Failure is what we're all running from, we're always… ![“Failure is what we're all running from, we're always running toward success with failure at our back.” quote by Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png) > “Failure is what we're all running from, we're always running toward success with failure at our back.” [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that failure is inevitable and constantly present, yet we pursue success while carrying failure's lessons. **In simple terms:** Failure is always there as we chase success. Key Takeaway Embrace failure as a guide toward success. Themes failure success resilience Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - personal development - entrepreneurship - sports competition Key Concepts growth mindset learning from mistakes Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn a recent failure into a step toward success? - What does “failure at our back” mean to you? A Different Perspective Failure can be paralyzing if not reframed as a learning tool. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-running/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [My feelings tried to control me on my run. I had to concentrate fully on forthcoming running and success. I wanted to triumph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-feelings-tried-to-control-me-on-my-run-i-had-to-concentrate-fully/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [There are no secrets to running success,anyone who says there are is probably trying to sell you something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-liquori/there-are-no-secrets-to-running-success-anyone-who-says-there-are-is/) [Marty Liquori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marty-liquori/) > [“I am running to and you are running from, and there’s a world of difference there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-am-running-to-and-you-are-running-from-and-there-s-a-world-of/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Running, always running, into the distance. Stop me before I bleed, again. The echoes of my voice follow me down the shadows I cast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killswitch-engage/running-always-running-into-the-distance-stop-me-before-i-bleed-again/) [Killswitch Engage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killswitch-engage/) > [My favorite thing about running is running when it's as hot as it can be, which is a little odd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/my-favorite-thing-about-running-is-running-when-it-s-as-hot-as-it-can/) [Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/) > [Set aside a time solely for running. Running is more fun if you don't have to rush through it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-fixx/set-aside-a-time-solely-for-running-running-is-more-fun-if-you-don-t/) [Jim Fixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-fixx/) > [“I am running and running, God knows where; God knows why?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhaidev/i-am-running-and-running-god-knows-where-god-knows-why/) [Abhaidev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhaidev/) > [“I am running. I am running through moonlit woods, with branches ripping at my clothes and my feet catching in the snow-bowed bracken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ware/i-am-running-i-am-running-through-moonlit-woods-with-branches-ripping/) [Ruth Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ware/) > [In order for me to perform the best I can out on the field, I have to fuel my body with the proper nutrients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-krieger/in-order-for-me-to-perform-the-best-i-can-out-on-the-field-i-have-to/) [Ali Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-krieger/) > [Exerting yourself to the limit over and over again, that is the essence of running. Running is painful, but the pain doesn't leave me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/exerting-yourself-to-the-limit-over-and-over-again-that-is-the/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“I am running and running, God knows where; God knows why?' 'Aren’t we all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhaidev/i-am-running-and-running-god-knows-where-god-knows-why-aren-t-we-all/) [Abhaidev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhaidev/) > [I was always, always running. I was running since I was small. And it is something I also learned from watching my father because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richarlison/i-was-always-always-running-i-was-running-since-i-was-small-and-it-is/) [Richarlison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richarlison/) > [“It is not so easy as running and not running.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-mckinley/it-is-not-so-easy-as-running-and-not-running/) [Robin McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-mckinley/) > [“Running is still running. It doesn't matter if it's a physical move from one place to another or if it's to within yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/running-is-still-running-it-doesn-t-matter-if-it-s-a-physical-move/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [Anyone can do running. Running should be easy. It should be fun. It should include everyone. It shouldn't be a punishment for eating cheesecake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mcdougall/anyone-can-do-running-running-should-be-easy-it-should-be-fun-it/) [Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcdougall/) ## More by Natalie Goldberg > [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/over-and-over-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-should-not-be/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-feel-very-rich-when-i-have-time-to-write-and-very-poor-when-i-get-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/our-bodies-are-garbage-heaps-we-collect-experience-and-from-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/know-that-you-will-eventually-have-to-leave-everything-behind-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-encounter-a-fine-book-and-have-time-to-read-it-is-a-wonderful-thing/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-the-past-few-years-i-ve-assigned-books-to-be-read-before-a-student/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-you-draw-and-pay-attention-to-what-is-it-s-a-form-of-being/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/poetry-is-a-dumb-buddha-who-thinks-a-donkey-is-as-important-as-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-told-all-kinds-of-stories-about-going-to-japan-about-playing-ball/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/no-matter-what-a-person-does-to-cover-up-and-conceal-themselves-when/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-read-eve-ensler-and-thought-it-was-fabulous-not-only-that-but-it/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) [Explore all 212 Natalie Goldberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## More Always running quotes > [The individual who has been liberated by reason is always running head-on into a world, a society, whose past in the shape of 'prejudices'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/the-individual-who-has-been-liberated-by-reason-is-always-running/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [Human beings are afraid of dying. They are always running after something: money, honor, and pleasure. But if you had to die now, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taisen-deshimaru/human-beings-are-afraid-of-dying-they-are-always-running-after/) [Taisen Deshimaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taisen-deshimaru/) > [Margaret Meade is always running around saying that marijuana's just like bread and water! Well, bread and water are poison, and marijuana's a poison.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-purdy/margaret-meade-is-always-running-around-saying-that-marijuana-s-just/) [James Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-purdy/) > [Nobody even mentioned the word losing, losing games. We know we've been a losing franchise. He just wanted to say something back like he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-crawford/nobody-even-mentioned-the-word-losing-losing-games-we-know-we-ve-been/) [Carl Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-crawford/) > [I was always restless, always a roving spirit. When I was a little child I was always running away. I never got very far,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/i-was-always-restless-always-a-roving-spirit-when-i-was-a-little/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [You're always running into people's unconscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/you-re-always-running-into-people-s-unconscious/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [I take my dog, Fideo, out for a hike in Runyon Canyon three times a week. It's about 45 minutes round-trip with a variation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-ortiz/i-take-my-dog-fideo-out-for-a-hike-in-runyon-canyon-three-times-a/) [Ana Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-ortiz/) > [The Secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fauja-singh/the-secret-to-a-long-and-healthy-life-is-to-be-stress-free-be/) [Fauja Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fauja-singh/) > [I am like the lover of Roland Barthes "who's always running in his head". I'm always searching, and "eating" everything from my life, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rykiel/i-am-like-the-lover-of-roland-barthes-who-s-always-running-in-his/) [Sonia Rykiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rykiel/) > [For me, as for so many runners, there really are no finish lines. Runs end; running doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-karnazes/for-me-as-for-so-many-runners-there-really-are-no-finish-lines-runs/) [Dean Karnazes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-karnazes/) > [Make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/make-the-mind-run-the-body-never-let-the-body-tell-the-mind-what-to/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [If you think that peace and happiness are somewhere else and you run after them, you will never arrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-you-think-that-peace-and-happiness-are-somewhere-else-and-you-run/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [A strong theme is always running through a well-told story,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/a-strong-theme-is-always-running-through-a-well-told-story/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [We are always running, and it has become a habit. We struggle all the time, even during our sleep. We are at war with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/we-are-always-running-and-it-has-become-a-habit-we-struggle-all-the/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Love you always, miss you always... running day and night, leaving the place of sun and moon, of ice and snow. Never look back,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-day-george/love-you-always-miss-you-always-running-day-and-night-leaving-the/) [Jessica Day George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-day-george/) [Browse all 30 Always running quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-running/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Failure is what we're all running from, we're always running toward success with failure at our back.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Natalie Goldberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-we-re-always-running-toward/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always running" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-we-re-always-running-toward/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/natalie-goldberg-1741_always-running_failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-w_383088.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Failure is what we're all running from, we're always running toward success with failure at our back.” — Natalie Goldberg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Natalie Goldberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Failure is what we're all running...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-we-re-always-running-toward/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/failure-is-what-we-re-all-running-from-we-re-always-running-toward/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```