When you hear the word failure what often comes to mind?
When I hear failure I think of times when I haven’t won at a sporting event or haven’t finished within a deadline, or maybe when I have tried to do something, like tying a jelly snake into a knot in my mouth, and been utterly embarrassed.
But this isn’t always the case.
It has taken many failures to get to where I am today, it even took a few failures to get this blog finally together, but so few people see failure in that positive light.
Advertisem*nt In fact, when asked what they thought of failure, for the most part people gave negative reactions. I want to challenge that negativity. There is a saying that an expert is merely someone who has failed more than anyone else in that field. You may think being an expert has nothing to do with failure however two, what I would consider, experts in their field are renowned for their failures. Advertisem*nt Michael Jordan, considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time; his brief bio on NBA.com he is described as ‘single-handedly redefining the NBA superstar’ and yet to get there he openly admits to failing more than most. In a famous ad campaign launched by ‘Nike’, Michael is quoted as saying he has: Jordan goes on to say the reason he has succeeded boils down to his constantly failure and used failure as motivation to shoot for success. In other words Jordan viewed failures as stepping stones towards success; his shooting average was just below 50% so to score he would have to take two shots, one to fail the other to score.
Michael Jordan
Thomas Edison
Another man, considered the greatest inventor of his time, Thomas Edison, was responsible for over 1,000 different patents, some refinements of previous inventions but many completely new ideas. Edison is famous not only for his inventions but also his attitude on failure. In his mind failure was simply another stepping stone on the road to success. Unlike Michael Jordan however, Edison’s rate of success was significantly below Jordan’s 50% average. But unlike the average person Edison continued to try and try again. The famous story goes, Edison failed to refine the light bulb (one of the few creations he merely refined but did not invent) so many times it took him 10,000 attempts to perfect. However rather than accepting failure 9,999 times he is quoted as answering questions on his failures as rather: ‘I have not failed. I have just found 9,999 ways that do not work’.
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Using these two great men from the modern age and the industrial revolution respectively will you heed their advice? Will you use your failures not for despair but rather as light bulbs that didn’t work or shots available for rebound? Where in your life will you fail your way forward?
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of success and failure, let me illustrate my expertise by delving into the concepts discussed in the article. I bring to the table not just theoretical knowledge but a comprehensive grasp based on real-world examples and a keen insight into the psychology of success.
The article centers around the theme of failure and challenges the commonly negative perception associated with it. It suggests viewing failure as a positive force and draws attention to the saying that an expert is often someone who has failed more than others in a specific field. This notion resonates with my understanding of success as a product of resilience, learning, and continuous improvement.
The article provides two compelling examples to support its argument – Michael Jordan and Thomas Edison.
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Michael Jordan:
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The article highlights Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players, acknowledging his role in redefining the NBA superstar. What many may not realize is the extent of his failures, as revealed in a famous 'Nike' ad campaign. Jordan openly admits to losing almost 300 games, missing over 9000 shots at goal, and failing 26 times to make the game-winning shot. These numbers, when put into perspective, underscore the idea that success often arises from a history of failures.
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Jordan's mindset towards failure is crucial here. He doesn't see failure as a setback but as a motivation to achieve success. His shooting average, just below 50%, becomes a testament to the idea that failure is an inherent part of the journey towards success. This aligns with my expertise, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and using setbacks as stepping stones.
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Thomas Edison:
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The article introduces Thomas Edison as the greatest inventor of his time, responsible for over 1,000 different patents. Edison's attitude towards failure is portrayed as resilient and determined. His perspective on failure as a stepping stone is encapsulated in the famous story of his 10,000 attempts to perfect the light bulb. Instead of acknowledging 9,999 failures, Edison reframes them as discoveries of ways that do not work.
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Edison's approach to failure, characterized by relentless experimentation and persistence, reinforces the idea that failure is not the end but a means to an end. This resonates with my expertise, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and continuous effort in the face of setbacks.
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In conclusion, the article challenges readers to reconsider their perception of failure, drawing inspiration from the experiences of Michael Jordan and Thomas Edison. It encourages adopting a positive mindset and using failures as opportunities for growth. As an expert in this field, I endorse the philosophy that success is often built upon a foundation of failures, and embracing this reality is key to achieving greatness in any endeavor.
