Failure is not tolerated

Middle schoolers in this public school must write a two-page paper on why they failed and what they intend to do about it each time they receive a D or F on a test or project. Then, they must get their parents to sign it along with the teacher, and even the principal if it is a recurring problem.

Why? Because at this school "failure is not tolerated."

The result is that the students get to redo the project or retake the test and the scores are averaged together. Who wins? Sounds like the school does to me.

What exactly does this teach the students? Does it teach them the difference between failing and failure? Does it teach them that failing is part of the success process? Does it teach them that failing can actually lead to success?

Or, does it teach them to fear the prospect of failure? And, when we are afraid to fail, we become afraid to try. And, when we are afraid to try, mediocrity sets in, ambivalence takes over, and apathy becomes our driver.

Edison might have given up if he had to write a two-page paper each time he failed. Steve Jobs may never have pushed through with the Mac II when the original Mac sales were disappointing. Walt Disney would have never found Mickey. And, none of us would be standing right now, let alone walking (because as a baby we become intimately acquainted with failure as we learn to stand and walk).

We tend to think the problem with education is found in grammar, math, and history. I wonder if it is found in the way we treat those we say we care about the most.

houston@figment-consulting.com

3 Takes on Being Successful

Take responsibility

It is a natural instinct to blame others, look for the problem outside of ourselves, and point fingers elsewhere. It is also more natural, more comfortable, for us to allow someone else take responsibility -- what if something goes wrong? what if it doesn't succeed? Then, it is someone else's fault, not mine.

However, we must be willing to raise our hands and take responsibility for our own lives if we want to succeed.

Want success? Take responsibility.

Take ownership

This is slightly different than responsibility. Responsibility is raising your hand and saying, "It's mine." Taking ownership is determining that you are going to not only raise your hand, but also be committed to the process and the outcomes.

Responsibility means it is you. Ownership means it is yours. Taken together and you are on your way to success.

Take thought

You probably thought I would say take action here didn't you? Too many times we place action a little higher on the hierarchy than we should. So, before you take action, take thought. In other words, take time to decide: what do you want, why do you want it, in what ways can you attain it, who's help do you need, how will it benefit others, what is the story you want to share, who wants to hear it, where are they who might want to hear what you have to say.

Thought must precede action in order that the action be the most efficient kind.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Keep moving forward

It worked for Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Margaret Knight, Henry Ford, Melitta Bentz, Steve Jobs, Stephanie Kwolek, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, and countless others.

A simple yet profound principle called Keep Moving Forward, or perhaps you may know it as Persistence.

Whatever it is you are working on today, no matter the outcome, keep moving forward.

houston@figment-consulting.com

If at first you don't succeed . . .

We all know the saying so say it with me: If at first you don't succeed, try try again.

But is it worth remembering? Is it good advice? Or could a slight adjustment radically alter our thinking on it?

If at first you don't succeed, learn from your mistake, make the necessary adjustments, then try try again. Repeat.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The problem with success . . .

. . . comes when it stifles us from further innovation and growth.

Keep moving forward was the mantra for Walt Disney, and should be for each of us. Attaining our goals should build within us the confidence to reach higher, set bigger goals, and move forward toward them.

Success can be as much of a hindrance as fear and failure if it keeps us from moving forward. Enjoy success but don't rest in it. Instead, allow success to build within you the desire you need to soar ever higher.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The edge of failure

Don't be afraid to fail.

Many times it is at the edge of failure that imagination accelerates and breakthroughs occur.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Success v Significance

Success v Significance.

They can go hand-in-hand of course. What I have witnessed though is those who choose a life of significance tend to be more fulfilled and satisfied, whether or not success follows.

Typically, significance fails to follow a path that pursues success first.

houston@figment-consulting.com