When You’re Told You’re a Failure: Lessons from Thomas Edison, Musk, and Jobs that can help bring your life together
You only fail when you give up
In life, we all face moments of doubt and criticism. At times, we’re told that we’ve failed, that our endeavors are futile, and that success is an unattainable dream. However, history has shown that some of the most influential and innovative minds in the world faced similar setbacks. Here, we’ll draw inspiration from Thomas Edison, Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs, who were all labeled as “failures” at various points in their lives, yet went on to change the world.
Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park
Thomas Edison, one of history’s greatest inventors, held over a thousand patents and gave us the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. But his path to success was riddled with failures:
- The Light Bulb: Edison famously attempted thousands of materials for the filament in his quest to create a practical electric light bulb. He’s often quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
- Persistence: Edison’s relentless persistence and unwavering belief in his vision transformed the world. He showed that even when labeled a failure, it’s the commitment to your idea that matters.
Elon Musk: The Visionary Entrepreneur
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is known for his audacious goals and ambition to colonize Mars. Yet, his journey wasn’t a straight line to success:
- Multiple Failures: Musk faced numerous failures in his entrepreneurial ventures. SpaceX, for example, experienced three consecutive rocket failures, leading to near bankruptcy.
- Resilience: Musk’s resilience and willingness to learn from his failures are what set him apart. He understood that failure was part of the process and continued to pursue his vision.
Steve Jobs: The Tech Pioneer
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., changed the way we interact with technology and transformed industries. Yet, his story is marked by being ousted from his own company:
- Ousted from Apple: In 1985, Jobs was removed from Apple, the company he co-founded. He later recalled, “I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.”
- Reinvention: Jobs used this setback as an opportunity for reinvention. He founded NeXT Computer and Pixar, which were later acquired by Disney. When he returned to Apple, he led the company to new heights.
Lessons to Embrace When You’re Told You’re a Failure:
- Failure is Part of Success: Edison, Musk, and Jobs all experienced numerous failures, but these setbacks were stepping stones to their ultimate success.
- Unwavering Belief: The belief in their vision and the courage to continue, even when labeled as failures, made a significant difference.
- Learning from Failure: Instead of dwelling on failure, focus on what you can learn from it. It’s often a valuable teacher.
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks is a key characteristic of those who ultimately succeed.
- Reinvention: Don’t be afraid to pivot and try new approaches. Sometimes, reinvention can lead to your greatest accomplishments.
In conclusion, when you’re told you’re a failure, remember that it’s not the end of your journey; it’s just a chapter. The experiences of Edison, Musk, and Jobs remind us that true success often comes after overcoming failure. Embrace these moments as opportunities to learn, grow, and ultimately achieve greatness.
A way forward
My friend Michael Cheney tells how he failed for a long time and how the family was against him but he persisted to become a real internet success story.
Listen to his story of success in the Millionaire success
