DISQUS

Porch Lifts · 1 year ago

I think a lot of people do really get caught up in the "OMG what if I fail" mindset, which can keep you from trying things. You should never be afraid to fall on your face.

A few months ago I was working on a van and trying to get the Rear Anti-Lock brake light to go off.

After a little research, I ended up replacing the brakes and one of the sensors. About $40 and several hours later, I drove the van and the light didn't come on right away, but about the time I thought I had succeeded, the light came on again.

I decided to leave it alone for about a week. After further research, it turned out that on older Ford Aerostars if all of the rear brake lights are out, the Rear ABS light comes on. Armed with this knowledge, it took me $5 and 15 min to fix. This is of course after I had already spent hours/days messing with it.

This experience reinforced the concept that you should start small and not start tearing stuff apart until you have checked all the easy stuff. I knew this, but I guess I can be hard headed sometimes.

While this probably isn't the biggest lesson I learned from failure, it is the most recent, so sticks out in my mind.

sbspalding · 1 year ago

That's a great story, and it makes a lot of sense. People "think" they
failed, when in reality they just didn't give it enough time. If you don't
have the patience to accept that and keep pushing against it, you end up
doing some crazy things that you later regret. Thanks for the story mate.

plish · 1 year ago

Great article and the insights are right on! Children aren't afraid of screwing up when they play-they also aren't afraid of incongruencies. Stay creative-Be Innovative, Succeed through failure!

Jake DeLong · 1 year ago

Great post, Steve!

I'd say my biggest failure would be deciding to move to a foreign city with a girl I'd only dated for 4 months.

What I learned would be that when a girl says we're going to paint the apartment "peach", it actually means "pink". Also, I learned that this fact does not give you license to sing "Little Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp at all hours of the day. Ditto for gratuitous playing of "Music From Big Pink" by The Band.

Motherhood · 1 year ago

This is just so true. Sometimes people are afraid to lose and fail. But I think people who can pull themselves together after a great fall are those who really shows great deal of courage

ophelia_chong · 1 year ago

The best came out of the worst for me. Not that it was pleasant to go through, but I learned more from failing than nailing it right the first time. And when I did, I couldn't repeat it. ;O) great post Steve.

Derek Anders · 1 year ago

This article has really inspired me and got me thinking about my life! I have always been afraid of failing, but after reading this I have decided to pursue the things in life that I wasn't "able" to do without the thought of failing. Thank you for the time to write it!

sbspalding · 1 year ago

Thank you for reading. If you ever need anything be sure to ping me.

Nikotintyggegummi · 1 year ago

When I look at my three month old daughter, see "fails" all the time - and learns a lot!

wilson · 1 year ago

To be honest, I've faced countless of failures in my long-winded journey life and I did learned a valuable lesson, "There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world!"

sbspalding · 1 year ago

There is but they usually try to sell you a Time Share right after. :)

Taya · 1 year ago

People are often afraid to fail and that's why they don't realize their ideas that may become very successful projects in the future.

rampantheart · 1 year ago

Wow! What an inspiring post! You are one hundred percent right! I don't really know why people think when a person fails, he is doomed! Quoting Morrie in the book "Tuesadys with Morrie", "What's wrong with being no. 2? " , I would also like to add that failures teach the most important lesson than success does. Failure imparts so many good values such as humility, patience and a sense of responsibility.

I loved reading this artcle!Thanks for sharing such inspiring thoughts!

sbspalding · 1 year ago

Thank you for reading. It's hard to get past the idea that failure somehow says something bad about us. I think in reality, the only failures we should worry about are the ones we don't work to recover from.

rampantheart · 1 year ago

Exactly! Personally, I have learned a lot after failing! And I have no qualms about the fact that I failed, to people. Most people can't accept the fact that failure is just like success. Psychologically speaking, yes, it isn't easy at all! I have been thru all this lately but I am surviving on this star called "Hope" which I am sure will not let me down. And I do a lot of self-talk. Whenever I have heard many people call me unlucky though I have the talents. But to me, success is self-satisfaction. The satisfaction one gets after doing things is inexpressible! So, even if don't succeed in the way materialists put it, I know I have succeeded and that's what matters to me!
And many times, people tell me I am a realist sticking to unconventional thoughts. Human beings can be irritatingly enthusiastic when they try their best to talk something out of your mind. Many of my friends and folks have tried attempting something like this for me to live THEIR lives! ;) One conclusion I have drawn after all these years is, "People don't like the Confident ones. They try their best to deprecate you if you want to differ from their conventional,mundane thoughts. While they are at it, they forget to note the fact that they are exhibiting a part of themselves that secretly wants to be the other person. Their negative thoughts makes them jealous and live a life without any purpose."

I don't really know why I am typing all this. I love it, nevertheless! Thanks for making me speak out my thoughts! :)

Genesis Bible · 1 year ago

The biggest lesson I learned from failure is, and this may seem like the obvious, but I learned where I was going wrong, and I was able to see my mistakes, and learn from them. What I would personally recommend is that you should not be afraid of failure, but at the same time, you should know your limits.

Till then,

Randy

Sheila Fakturierung · 1 year ago

Those are wonderful insights. We cannot control circumstances nor failures. All we can do is to be fearless. If we failed, we must accept it...who knows, maybe there's something big and better to happen. After all, an individual cannot become successful if he/she don't know how to handle failures in a positive way. So, the next time you stumble, get up and continue your journey to success.

Mac Jones · 1 year ago

I think you learn your biggest lessons from failure. Nobody wants to fail and personally I analyse any situation when I fail and make absolutely sure I don't make the same mistakes. It really does make you a better person.

Macey · 1 year ago

I think failure should be looked as not failure itself; but rather practice.Learn from failure and confirm with success.

calidas · 1 year ago

I’m writing from Turkey.. It’s very nice that you mention this subject. Your explanations are enough.

Fashion Shop · 12 months ago

This is what i have always been telling myself. Failure is a new lesson learnt and that helps me in every steps i take in the future.

Dito Delacroix · 11 months ago

That's it we learn from the past so we'll never fail again.yesterday is history,tomorrow is a mystery,but today is a gift.that is why it is called the present :)

sbspalding · 11 months ago

Ha, absolutely

Premium Blog Themes · 10 months ago

First,i would congratulate for your knowledge!
The man who doesn't repeates the mistakes and learn from mistakes will be the success full life at the end!
Thank you!