Thomas Edison, who invented the electric bulb, was called “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs and failed a thousand times before inventing the light bulb. During an interview, a reporter jokingly asked him, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” To which Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” However counterintuitive it may seem, having the courage to risk is required to be successful.
Missteps are opportunities for creative solutions. We can use past experiences to produce a new perspective and, in turn, create a new outcome. Our missteps can fuel our awareness. In helping us decide how to act and react in a fresh and fruitful way, they can bring us closer to happiness and further away from causing our own discomfort.
Ways to improve your perspective:
1. Find strength in learning.
When you are confronting something similar again, see yourself in a different space. Trust and respond from this place. Ask yourself, how can I react differently this time given the learning from last time?
2. Remember that everything transforms.
Connect with the fact that with up comes down, with light comes darkness. With down comes up, with darkness comes light. When you find yourself imbalanced, remember that returning to balance will come. Trust in the flow of your life and of the universe.
3. Adopt a growth mindset.
Life is full of successes and not-so-successes. Plan for setbacks, accept when they appear, and move forward as quickly as possible. A growth mindset is the belief that a person's capacities and talents can be improved over time. Adopt a growth mindset of improvement in your thoughts, words, and actions. View challenges and obstacles as opportunities. Accept constructive criticism. Be persistent. Be mindful that missteps are part of the learning process. Keep a positive attitude. Setting intentions, having goals, and purpose help with growth mindset.
4. Practice a headstand or down dog.
This is an instant way to change your perspective. It’s difficult to feel and see things the same way if you are upside down.
Remind yourself there is no final or “perfect” destination in life. It is merely a journey with many similar situations. However, with growing wisdom and a richer perspective, we are better able to manage our life and enjoy ourselves and life more.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” ~Samuel Beckett
Love & light
Jeanne and John
