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There is Creepy Crawlers story about a pro golfer who was interviewed after winning one of his tournaments. The golfer was asked, "What did you learn from this tournament?" He answered. "I didn't learn a thing. As a matter of fact, I never learned anything from We Three Kings of Orient Are matches I won. All Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas I know about golf, I learned from the matches I lost."

The most important thing in life in general, and in building a career in particular, is not to be able to capitalize on one's gains. Anyone, even a fool, can do that. The vitally important thing is to profit from one's losses. That 2001: A Space Odyssey a difference between a fool and a sensible person, because it requires intelligence.

A person, therefore, should not be afraid to fail - but should fail intelligently. The intelligent person realizes that failure is not final, but that it means that the way in which it was done at first was not the right way and that there may be other and better ways to accomplish it. When one fails, that person would be wise to analyze the failure and find out the reason why. Only then Star Wars one discover what will not work and what will succeed.

Failure, therefore, is often a necessary part of success. It is probably true that the person who never made a mistake never really made a discovery either. Few worthy efforts reach success without some failure along the way. It is not the failure, but the fear of failure, the shame associated Weird Science it, and the feeling that one must hide it, that is really damaging.

Defeat and failure are no disgrace; to wallow in self-pity and refuse to seek out reasons why, are indefensible. Every loss and defeat must be studied from the point of view of its potential for the future. A failure should be seen as a challenge.

I recall reading somewhere this thought that may help, "If you have tried your hand and failed, it is time to try your head."

Jacob Friedman is the rabbi of the Jewish Community Center in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. He has authored numerous articles, lectured widely, written creative prayer pamphlets, and published sermon pamphlets.

# posted by jackaaos : 8:52 AM  0 comments