My Mission: Fail More
Sunday, January 18. 2009
I recently mentioned my New Year's Resolution on Twitter: "Fail more." This sentiment is based on the ideas expressed in this blog post regarding failure. Essentially, I'm worried that I'm not pushing the limits in my life. I'm being too conservative, and too sensitive. If I ever want to get anywhere, I have to let go of those aspects of my personality.
It's in my nature to avoid conflict. I don't know why; it's just the way I've always been. I'm a lot less conflict-averse than I used to be, because my day job demands it to some extent. I look back now on my personality in college and frankly wonder how I managed to survive. Back then, I took every setback, rejection, or implied slight to heart, and ruminated over it almost to the point of ulcers. I'm better today, but still not as bulletproof as I'd like to be.
So my resolution for this year is to be much more open to rejection and failure. I want to push myself to get out there and take risks, despite the possibility of failing. Because without risk, there can be no success. If I fail, I'll dust myself off quickly and head back into the fray. This is my roadmap for 2009. Hopefully, it will also lead to publication...
I recently mentioned my New Year's Resolution on Twitter: "Fail more." This sentiment is based on the ideas expressed in this blog post regarding failure. Essentially, I'm worried that I'm not pushing the limits in my life. I'm being too conservative, and too sensitive. If I ever want to get anywhere, I have to let go of those aspects of my personality.
It's in my nature to avoid conflict. I don't know why; it's just the way I've always been. I'm a lot less conflict-averse than I used to be, because my day job demands it to some extent. I look back now on my personality in college and frankly wonder how I managed to survive. Back then, I took every setback, rejection, or implied slight to heart, and ruminated over it almost to the point of ulcers. I'm better today, but still not as bulletproof as I'd like to be.
So my resolution for this year is to be much more open to rejection and failure. I want to push myself to get out there and take risks, despite the possibility of failing. Because without risk, there can be no success. If I fail, I'll dust myself off quickly and head back into the fray. This is my roadmap for 2009. Hopefully, it will also lead to publication...
It's in my nature to avoid conflict. I don't know why; it's just the way I've always been. I'm a lot less conflict-averse than I used to be, because my day job demands it to some extent. I look back now on my personality in college and frankly wonder how I managed to survive. Back then, I took every setback, rejection, or implied slight to heart, and ruminated over it almost to the point of ulcers. I'm better today, but still not as bulletproof as I'd like to be.
So my resolution for this year is to be much more open to rejection and failure. I want to push myself to get out there and take risks, despite the possibility of failing. Because without risk, there can be no success. If I fail, I'll dust myself off quickly and head back into the fray. This is my roadmap for 2009. Hopefully, it will also lead to publication...
Craig on :
I agree. 'Fail More' is the ticket, but I must be sure to learn from the failures. Next time I fail, I want it to be a completely different failure...not the same stupid mistake.