Failure is a Comma, Not a Period (2)
As Lynne Ford says, ‘failure is a comma, not a period.’
This is the theme of this series of posts. As you observe the failures that you have experienced (and that you will again) consider the truth of this statement:
2. Some failures are major reliefs. Let’s say you submitted a proposal for a large federal grant – and you weren’t awarded the grant. Outwardly, you might tell people how bummed you are. Inwardly, however, you may be thankful that you didn’t get the grant because of the enormous commitment it was going to take. If you are already managing as much (or more) than is personally sensible and professionally responsible, then it’s a relief when certain grants aren’t funded, particular conference proposals aren’t selected, or committee assignments aren’t procured.
I hope this gives you something to think about. Tomorrow, another thought about ‘failure.’
If you would like additional tips, tools, and techniques that you can use to support your successes, then access one or both of the following free resource websites:
**Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com)
**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay (http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com)
(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., “The Ph.D. of Productivity”(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!
Tags: academia, failure, federal grant, projects, stress, success
1 comment 
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July 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Meggin,
I wish there were a way to communicate this idea of failure to more people. It seems that the word is so unpleasant that people want to get rid of it as soon as they hear it. Sure, I don’t like it either, but at some point in my life, I did learn that it is a part of life and there is much to be learned from it. How can I share this with my family? Friends? Colleagues?