The quote “Fail again. Fail better” is attributed to Samuel Beckett
A healthy attitude towards the role of failure for anyone in their pursuit of meaningful achievements can be game-changing. It’s all about inspiring action.
Whether you have a desire to succeed or a fear of failure, the important thing is that you have a fuel for action. Your drive to avoid unwanted things happening, or to make valued things happen will typically result in you committing to action, and that’s all that matters.
A plea for relief
Some people think the quote is like a plea from someone who's stuck in a cycle of failure and just wants to break free. They believe it's saying that success and failure don't really matter, and that the most important thing is to explore the personal mystery that's in everything you write.
A reminder to learn from failure
Others say that the quote reminds us to embrace failure and learn from it, rather than letting it define us. They believe that we can learn more from things that go wrong, and that we should ask ourselves what went wrong.
A reminder to find a healthy distance from negative emotions
Some believe this quote reminds us to keep a healthy distance from negative emotions that arise when our work is rejected, helping us to continue sharing our work while staying creative.
A reminder to embrace the unknown
Some say the quote is a reminder to embrace the unknown and recognize that transition times can be full of potential. They believe knowing how to fail well is an important skill.
A powerful mix
Many of us have a mix of desire to succeed and fear of failure. When we start to look for the positive action that both can inspire, we can enjoy their contrasting philosophies rather than feeling conflicted. As William Shakespeare observed in Hamlet, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." By embracing this enduring wisdom, our motivations can always be a force for positive action, making our pursuit of meaningful achievements all the more enjoyable.
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