From a young age, we receive mixed messages about our performance, results, and outcomes. Try your hardest, but get straight A’s. And when you try your hardest, most of our well-intentioned parents, teachers, and mentors always want us to do better next time—and always do more. This creates a great amount of pressure, even from a young age. It often leads to us beating ourselves up over the smallest of inabilities or mistakes. But what if I told you there is no such thing as failure?
Would You Try 10,000 Times, Or Consider It A Failure?
Thomas Edison is a globally renounced inventor, whose most famed work includes the light bulb, movie camera, and phonograph. His success is due to his unwillingness to give up on his goals. He made 10,000 attempts to get the lightbulb just right. He learned from each unsuccessful test and design, and let the knowledge he gained inspire new innovations.
How often would you try before you give up?
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison
Set Your Own Standards For Success
As inspiring as Edison’s dedication to his projects was, we must not forget that his inventions were his passion. He continued to try because that is where he excelled. Don’t beat yourself up over not being good at something you have no interest in—and instead invest your energy in what comes naturally to you.
When you take this approach, your motivation will keep driving you forward, and the lessons you learn when you miss the mark will have more value.
