When asked if his prototypes ever fail, he replied, "Absolutely. It's when something fails that you learn. If it doesn't fail, you don't learn anything. You haven't made any progress."
I realize it can be more impactful when a group or organization fails at something, but in terms of an individual failing, it's only a real loss if you don't learn anything from it.
In my time as an artist, I've:
- Failed getting into SJT.
- Failed the first round of auditions for STOMP.
- Written songs that were way too complicated and ornate.
- Failed at solo moves I spent time working on.
- Failed my 3rd-degree black belt test.
- Didn't place in the top 3 in sparring/kata events several times.
There have been a lot of failures that for me were at best, stinging and at worst, gut-wrenching. I've learned from them all and they don't stop me from trying. Trying hard. To not allow yourself to fail is to not allow yourself to grow.
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