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Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

Failure should be viewed as an opportunity to start anew, this time with greater wisdom and insight.

Consider the example of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the first electric light bulb. Edison dedicated three years to this endeavour, during which time many of his colleagues and followers gradually abandoned the project. Their impatience and desire for immediate results prevented them from appreciating Edison’s unwavering perseverance.

Each day, Edison approached his work with renewed enthusiasm and vigour. His colleagues often questioned his persistence, suggesting that they had exhausted all possible avenues and should shift their focus to a different project. However, Edison consistently responded, “Who told you that we have been failures? Each failure brings us nearer to success because there must be only a limited number of doors. We knock on one door, and it is not the right door — but it is not a failure. One door, a wrong door, is eliminated; success is closer. We knock on another door; it is not the right door. But we are even closer to success — two doors are eliminated. Soon we will be knocking on the right door.”

Edison’s patience and determination were hallmarks of a truly intelligent and dedicated seeker. After three years of relentless effort, he finally achieved success in the middle of the night. By then, all his colleagues had left, and he found himself alone, physically exhausted and mentally strained. Yet, it was in this solitary moment that he made his groundbreaking discovery of the electric bulb. The room illuminated by electricity was a testament to his perseverance, and he marvelled at the sight of something that had never existed before.

Edison’s unique patience set him apart in the annals of history, leading to his invention of over a thousand devices. While many other intelligent researchers existed, they often abandoned their pursuits after encountering a few setbacks. Edison’s unwavering commitment and ability to view each failure as a step closer to success were the keys to his extraordinary achievements.