What I have learned about people and organizations...so far.

Monday, October 9, 2017

The Heat of Failure Assures the Outcome

My sister-in-law is a sculptor. She can take a piece of clay and fashion it into a dynamic object. She first shapes the clay into the object she envisions and then puts it in a 2400 degree oven to strengthen her creation. Failing in life has similar properties.

When we fail we need to take the heat and ask ourselves hard questions so we can improve the next time we set out. Three questions I ask of myself are:


  • Did I really give all the effort I could have?
  • Did I seek the advice of experts?
  • Did I disregard a nagging caution?


In the words of Bill Gates, “Its fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”