Charles Kettering is a famous American inventor and businessman. He is the holder of 186 patents and was the head of research for General Motors from 1920 - 1947. Among other things he is responsible for the electric starting motor, freon, and the lacquers and enamels that were first used on mass-produced automobiles. In 1933, he was on the cover of Time Magazine.
Kettering suggested that we must learn to "fail intelligently." He said, "Once you've failed, analyze the problem and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading up to the cathedral of success. The only time you don't want to fail is the last time you try."
Here are his three suggestions for turning failure into success:
1. Honestly face defeat; never fake success.
A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be
successful. ~ Proverbs 28:13, TLB
2. Exploit the failure; don't waste it. Learn all you can from it; every bitter experience can teach us something.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for
we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be
patient. And patience develops strength of character.
~ Romans 5:3-4, TLB
3. Never use failure as an excuse for not trying again.
Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
~ 2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV
Kettering writes, "You may not be able to reclaim the loss, undo the damage, or reverse the consequences, but you can make a new start--wiser, more sensitive, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and more determined to do right."
The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand.
~ Psalm 37:23-24, TLB
Learning together to fail forward...
Kettering suggested that we must learn to "fail intelligently." He said, "Once you've failed, analyze the problem and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading up to the cathedral of success. The only time you don't want to fail is the last time you try."
Here are his three suggestions for turning failure into success:
1. Honestly face defeat; never fake success.
A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be
successful. ~ Proverbs 28:13, TLB
2. Exploit the failure; don't waste it. Learn all you can from it; every bitter experience can teach us something.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for
we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be
patient. And patience develops strength of character.
~ Romans 5:3-4, TLB
3. Never use failure as an excuse for not trying again.
Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
~ 2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV
Kettering writes, "You may not be able to reclaim the loss, undo the damage, or reverse the consequences, but you can make a new start--wiser, more sensitive, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and more determined to do right."
The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand.
~ Psalm 37:23-24, TLB
Learning together to fail forward...
RSS Feed