Success and Failure
Coming to the realization that those who spend most of their time trying to make things happen neither succeed or fail. There are small successes and failures on their paths, but it’s rarely finite and cannot be determined as success or failure until a finite end. However, when one stops trying to make things happen, then maybe they could say they  succeeded or failed.
I bring this up because of a necessity for the entrepreneur to hold both of these potential scenarios up and look at them honestly. What does failure look like? If it looks like giving up, then the term, “failure is not an option,” deductively means that giving up is not an option. I can live with that. What does success look like? I have no clue, one building block goes on the next and I don’t have any idea how many building blocks there are. So if I never quit, does that mean success is not an option either?
One might say we’ve had a fair bit of success with We the Media (WTM). It’s made of several building blocks, collectively making a house. But looking around, all I see are large buildings. If we ever become a large building, then all I will probably see are skyscrapers. Thinking this is like looking into the unending mirror vortex.
As I see it today, failure means quitting and success means never quitting, or maybe success is something I will recognize if it happens. Until then, it’s all building blocks over here at WTM.
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George Huff
peddler of ideas and all things that are good
I am a digital geek; equal parts designer, builder, and ideator. I am the co-founder of a interface design shop in Portland, Oregon called We the Media. We do amazing stuff running the gamut from systems design to application development to interface design. If you would like to work with us, drop me a line.
We recently started a new company around a product we're calling Opal. It's a way to build company cultures around delighted employees.
At this blog you will find stories about business, life, web design, & culture. You will also find a stream of what I find interesting on the web. Enjoy.
Nice post.
Kind of think success is simply being happy with where you’re at, what you’re doing, and pushing yourself (and your work) as hard as you can go. Also believe that humility and an open and objective mind is the key foundational building block.
I’ve stopped looking at the skyscrapers and am, for the moment at least, content to create and finish the nicest building I’ve ever lived in.
Then we’ll see if I flip it for a profit ; )
Well put–that feeling is a constant ebb and flow with me as well. It’s become the symbol of a competition with myself to take on bigger challenges and have the flexibility to rise to the occasion; one step at a time. Keeps me on my toes.
Personally I’ve always preferred well-built, well-designed, cozy houses where the people are friendly and approachable to a skyscraper.
You should definitely have a look at ReWork; I’m almost done if you want to borrow my copy!
Success is a well-landscaped, relaxing backyard with a garden and a BBQ. Am I right?
I also think that its sometimes difficult to determine successes and failures when the ultimate goal is uncharted (skyscraper, building blocks or something totally new) which is the world you are playing in now. In this setting, it is as much about the construction process as the final building constructed. In politics and business what is important to have a code, to know what your guiding principles are, that way your success is being true to your code and less about the peaks and valleys on the journey to the unknown!