You Can Be a
Famous Failure

He blew up his laboratory and his brother in his quest to develop dynamite. That was one of Albert Nobel’s (most famous for the Nobel Prize) less stellar moments.  I bet you have experienced failure, as well. Aren’t you glad that you did not blow up your brother in the process?

Failure is just a part of life and the world is filled with famous failures.  Here are several examples:

• He was not able to speak until he was almost four years old and his teachers said, “He will never amount to much.” – Albert Einstein

• He was fired from a newspaper for “lacking imagination” and “having no original ideas.” – Walt Disney

• She was demoted from her job as a news anchor because “she wasn’t fit for television.” – Oprah Winfrey

• They were rejected by the largest music distributers of their day.  The recording studio said, “We don’t like their sound – they have no future in show business.” – The Beatles

• At the age of 30 he was depressed, having been fired as the head of company he had started. – Steve Jobs

• After being cut from his high school basketball team he went home locked himself in his room and cried. – Michael Jordan

Nehemiah’s Vision

We can learn much about vision from a study of Nehemiah, the fifth century high official in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes I.  His vision was for the city of Jerusalem; which during its history was destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.  Nehemiah’s story has at its core every element related to vision.   He envisioned rebuilding the wall surrounding the city that had been destroyed by an invader and left in shambles by apathetic citizens.  In the Book of Nehemiah we see: 

• Vision Formed – he was compelled to rebuild the wall.
• Vision Shared – he asked the king for permission to do so.
• Vision Acted On – he organized others to help him in the task.
• Vision Resisted – the “good old boy” network mocked him and tried to stop him.
• Vision Completed – Jerusalem’s wall stood once again.

So, what is your vision?  What do you see?  What do you think about that could be or should be?”  Before you make any plans spend time seeking vision.