It’s Not Failure, It’s Experimentation

I’ve heard variations of this phrase a few times from different books, and I love the simplicity and truth behind this particular one.

‘It’s not failure, it’s experimentation.’

Many people have failed a test, experienced a breakup, got a bad haircut, tried their hand at different career paths through internships and part-time work. And as a teacher, I’m sure you’ve tried an assignment in the classroom that just didn’t at all work out the way you wanted.

Just because it failed to work out, doesn’t mean it was a bad thing.

In fact, on looking back at those things, you’ll probably agree that you learned something and it was a very good thing that you ‘failed’ at that particular moment because it probably made you a little smarter in the long run.

One thing I’ve learned from reading business books is that many of the most successful entrepreneurs (many whose names would be easily recognizable) have had huge huge failures in life and in business. The kind of failures that you’d think would make them completely give up on life and their careers.

But no.

These people understood that they were trying something new, there was risk involved, and if it didn’t work out they’d try again. This is part of the reason we’re inspired by people like Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, J.K. Rowling, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, and Steve Jobs.

So just think about it.

‘It’s not failure, it’s experimentation.’

I probably repeat that to myself at least once a day, because everyone makes mistakes, and you can’t progress if you only beat yourself up over it.

So here’s to trying, failing, and learning.
Happy teaching! And happy experimentation ;).