There is no failure, only feedback

I learned this phrase from a book. Specifically, it's an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) book.

A good example to explain this is by referring to Thomas Edison.

Thomas Edison, after trying 9,999 ways to perfect the electric light bulb, insisted: "I didn't fail. I just discovered another way to invent the electric light bulb." (Alder, 2006).

Just like a person learning how to bake a cake. The first time he tried, the cake tasted very nasty. That doesn't mean he failed as a cook, it's just that he learned the results that he shouldn't used a certain ingredient or probably he shouldn't bake it for too long.

You used information, or feedback, to improve (Alder, 2006). That's the way to find success. You learn from your past mistakes (or I should say feedbacks) to improve yourself. If you know a certain way of doing things doesn't earn you the result you wanted, then you have to change accordingly and find new ways of doing it. Learn from the feedback!

Remember....

"There is no failure, only feedback" (Alder, 2006)

Source: Alder, H. (2006). NLP: The New Art and Science of Getting What You Want, Piatkus: London