Failure and success

Let’s talk about failure.

I know, it’s a topic we would rather not discuss. We don't want to fail and often struggle mightily to avoid it. But failing fast, learning, and trying again in a different, better way is what brings improvement and greater odds of success.

Think of the musician who plays poorly but then through practice excels. Or the losing team that develops bonds and intuition that lead to a winning record.

Take Mark Cuban. He failed as a carpenter, cook, waiter, and powdered milk salesman. He was fired from a software retailer. But then he formed, grew and sold Microsolutions and founded Broadcast.com and later sold it to Yahoo for $5.7 billion. Cuban says, "It doesn’t matter how many times you failed. You only have to be right once. I was an idiot lots of times, and I learned from them all.”

Many others have quickly learned from failure and succeeded greatly, from Bill Gates to Walt Disney.

My question: Are you learning from what is not working for you? Is it time to fold your hand and start again, better than before?

Remember, strategy wins!