Why Failure Leads to Success
Tim Harford, an author of the book, Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure says “Few of our own are fatal.” This may be true but make sure you do not act like one. When our faults are just right in front of us, we sometimes realize that it is more stressing that we often forgot the main advantage of failing which is the possibility of getting over our self-respect and return with a positive manner.
Based on the book, it says that success comes through an instant fixing of our mistakes as opposed to making the right things at the first place. To know if his point of view is true, Tim looks for convincing examples by trial-and-error from the perception of choreographer Twyla Tharp and US Forces Commander David Petraeus.
The following are the inappropriate mechanism to respond to failure:
When we talk about failing, our self-image is our own archenemy. Whenever things are starting to go faulty, defense mechanism takes place. Some normal reactions may include denial, trying to convince ourselves that the mistakes done do not matter and chasing your losses.
The key for a successful adaptation involves trying new things. Expose yourself to many kinds of approaches where failure is normal.
Look for different methods where there is a lot to learn (plan with small disadvantage but bigger benefit).
Know when you have not achieved the desired result.
The difficult part is to identify failure. We have this idea of “persistence pays off” that is why it feels wrong to cut our losses and classify an idea a failure. Recognizing a failure is a way of being able to cast it again into something more possible to succeed.
Collect response because it is important for choosing which experiments have succeeded and which have failed. Ask for advice from others. If ever the criticism is unpleasant, be open-minded and accept the genuine advice.
Just like having a bad day because you fail to pass your driving licensure examination, but still you keep on pushing yourself to get in your hands that driver’s license you always wanted to have.
Never give up. Success is just waiting in line.
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