LOGICal eMOTIONs

Failure Vs. Success

// October 25th, 2006 // Brain Dump

Possibly two of the most powerful words we have. The interesting thing about these two words is that they are complete opposites AND that there is no ‘middle ground’. They are binary in their meaning – something is either a failure or it is a success – off or on – 0 or 1. There is no grey area to get lost in and there is no misunderstanding between the two. At no point can you say, “This project was a complete success with only a bit of failure” – the project was EITHER a success or a failure.

Now, there is likely a list of similar words that are ‘binary’ as well as powerful, however, these two words play a huge role in our daily lives. When we think of the word FAILURE, or even read it in large bold letters, typically it instills negative emotions and general unpleasantness. The big question now, is: Why?
Thanks to Wiki, we have a great definition to start things off in the right direction when thinking about failure.

FAILURE: “Failure in general refers to the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective”

Now it’s time for the curve ball: everything IS a success or failure… When looking at whether or not something is a success or a failure, the very first question that needs to be asked is: Compared to what? Success and failure, although very finite, they must be put in proper relation.

Recently I had a conversation with a good friend of mine about an organization we both belong to. The question he had put forth was whether or not the team was successful or not this past year. At first glance, you could make a case either way that the team was either successful or it had indeed failed this past year given specific items. When we brought in the question of “compared to what?” to make sure everything was in proper relation, it brought an interesting viewpoint forward.

In terms of this past year, we really aren’t anything… Because we did not set any specific goals this year, we really had nothing to relate to. Did we accomplish much this past year? Absolutely! As to whether or not we were a success or failure is like asking am I close or far from ‘over there’?

to be continued…

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