"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing."
--- George Bernard Shaw
You won't find many books in your local bookstore with titles, "How to Fail in Business," "See You at the Bottom," or "How to Swim with the Sharks and get Eaten." No, these types of books won't attract too much attention and the authors of books on failing probably don't eat well from book sales.
But, failure is one of those tools found in the toolbox of successful businesses. Most successful business people can tell stories about how their failures served as a kick in the rear for success.
"Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes."
--- John Dewey
Of course, this is not a push for going out there and failing so that you can have it under your belt and get on with succeeding. That has been tried before with little to show for the effort. The point of failing, and sometimes failing big, is that someone took a chance and had the courage to dive into the relatively unknown with an eye on success.
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."
--- Michael Jordan
Taking that long shot is what catapults a business to huge success. It is also the taking of that long shot that can land a person flat on their backs. How do you know the difference? Most times, you won't. Most times, you've checked almost all the angles and go full force on a hunch. Sometimes it works and pay dirt is hit. Sometimes, it is simply not giving up on a passion even though you get knocked down a thousand times until you make it.
"Most success springs from an obstacle or failure. I became a cartoonist largely because I failed in my goal of becoming a successful executive."
--- Scott Adams
Accidental discoveries have been made out of failure. Post-It Notes, the Monopoly game, and Boston's (rock band) guitar sound all came about as the result of failures. In some cases, people were determined to chase a dream in one direction and when they failed, they discovered a gold mine with their failure. At that point, they had the courage to adopt a new direction and pursue a new, and sometimes better dream.
"Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other's faults and failures."
--- Mother Teresa
The smart players in business know that to discourage team members from taking chances is to stymie growth within the business. Big businesses such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft all allow time for employees to work on ideas they think will be a success. However, successful small businesses are doing the same every day because they know the importance of allowing creativity to flow.
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
--- Robert F. Kennedy
Make it a point for the rest of this month to analyze your failures and see which ones have actually created some success. Have you failed enough? Look at what your team members are doing. Encourage them to take chances. Allow them to begin taking baby steps toward the goal of taking chances, failing, and then succeeding.
"You always pass failure on the way to success."
--- Mickey Rooney
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In the manual for a microwave oven:
"Do not use for drying pets!"
Maternity Clothes Shop:
"We are open on labor day"
Seen in a cafeteria:
"Shoes are required to eat in the cafeteria. Socks can eat any place they want"
We know those funny signs are out there. Take a moment and send them in to us and we'll share them with the world. Send all hysterical observations to: info@signindustry.com.