“We now know a thousand ways not to build a light bulb.”
“Every successful person has tasted the bitter pills of failure, but they never swallowed them.” My son recently emailed this quote to me and I think it rings very true with the reality of success. Far too many people, when they experience failure, they let it derail them from their quest for success. In reality, failure is the pathway to success – each failure is a learning experience that brings us closer to the success we are seeking.
Thomas Edison failed more than 3,000 times in his attempt to develop a commercially successful light bulb, but he continued on. After his one thousandth failure, Mr. Edison remarked, “We now know a thousand ways not to build a light bulb.” He tasted the bitter pills of failure more than 3,000 times, but he did not swallow them.
Had he quit after his first or second failure, we might still be using candles and kerosene lamps. As Charles Kettering, one of the early founders of General Motors, put it, “An inventor fails 999 times and, if he succeeds once, he’s in. He treats his failures simply as practice shots.” When you look at failure as a harmless practice shot, it’s no longer something to fear. Rather, as was the case with Thomas Edison, each failure brings you one step closer to success.
Even a baseball player who hits 350 makes and out almost 2/3 of the time.
We should take lessons from infants who are learning to walk. They fall a lot, but get themselves back up and try again.
You’re right on, Cheryl. Thanks for the comment. Hope all is well and that your snow is melting. See you soon. Ross
The message about failure if very inspirational! It’s to keep on trying and never quit.
When you think of someone famous (like Thomas Edison) and their wonderful inventions, you never think about all their failed attempts before they achieved success.
Thanks for your response, Mary. You are right on the money. It was great to see you this morning. All the best, Ross
I realize that I am an expert at failure, but I never knew it contributed so very much to my successes. Good to know.
Dear Elaine,
Thank you so much for your comment regarding my Reminder. I thinking about you on Friday, so I’m glad you sent me this message. Hope all is well with you and Gary. Have a great day. All the best, Ross