Sometimes, Failing Is Just Failing

Most people look at failure as a bad thing. The reality, though, is that the truly successful people also experience failure; it’s what they do with failure that sets them apart. Successful people see failure as a learning opportunity. They take what lessons they can and apply them to future endeavors. Eventually, they succeed.

Did I just blow your mind? Probably not. I’ve yet to meet somebody on the other side of this issue, who wouldn’t at least overtly agree with this sentiment. We’ve been beat over the head by this idea since we were children.

And yet, read a hundred motivational books, listen to a hundred motivational talks, and these so-called thought leaders will present this lesson as if they’re the first to ever think of it.

Feigning humility is a great way to connect with your audience. Let them know that you’ve failed, just like them. Let them know that you are flawed, just like them. Let them know you had a rough childhood, that you’ve felt uncertain, that you’ve almost given up, and then bring it home with tales of your great success.

It sells books to losers, but it doesn’t run successful businesses (unless, of course, your business is selling books to losers.)

In isolation, this advice is often presented with example. Edison tries to make the lightbulb by burning 99 different types of filaments, and they all burn out in seconds. On the 100th try, he invents the light bulb, and then he stinks like the vault. Good on you, Edison.

But for every story that turns out to be a success in hindsight, there are a thousand failures that were just meant to be that way, failures. Success is just not in the cards for everybody.

At a certain point, after a certain number of tries, you really need to ask yourself if that’s the best way you could be spending your time. After all, that might have been the lesson you were meant to learn, that it’s time to hang up your hat and move on.

What was it they’re always saying about insanity?