Here's the thing: facing a scary challenge and handling it is rewarding as hell, **even if you technically failed.**
In some cases, failing is more rewarding than succeeding--it teaches you that failure is survivable. Failure is okay. Failure is worth *risking*, and you're tough enough to take it.
Getting your ass kicked every once in a while is good for you. I'm glad I'm still getting mine kicked after half a century on this ball of dirt. It reminds me that I'm not just here, but ALIVE.