This is what Merriam Webster defines failure as:

fail·ure
Pronunciation: \ˈfāl-yər\
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of earlier failer, from Anglo-French, from Old French faillir to fail
Date: 1643

1 a: omission of occurrence or performance; specifically: a failing to perform a duty or expected action (failure to pay the rent on time) b (1): a state of inability to perform a normal function (kidney failure) — compare heart failure (2): an abrupt cessation of normal functioning, (a power failure) c: a fracturing or giving way under stress (structural failure)
2 a: lack of success b: a failing in business: bankruptcy
3 a: a falling short: deficiency (a crop failure) b: deterioration, decay
4: one that has failed

What Merriam Webster has incorrect is that and any great achiever or scholar will tell you that “failure” is not failure at all, but really only “temporary defeat”.

If you have had one or many “failures”, you should be able to look back and say that the reason why was because of frustration, a failed plan, and/or misery and defeat due to lack of a sound plan.

We all use the light bulb every day without even realizing that Thomas Edison “failed” 10,000 times before he prefected the incandescent bulb. 10,000 TIMES. Seriously, let that sink in for a second…..

Can you imagine what kind of determination, belief in oneself, and perseverance he must have had to continue on after the 8,478th time????  He knew that those so-called “failures” was really only a case of “temporary defeat” and that there was something wrong with his plan, which needed to be changed and fixed.

Not to mention other greats like Henry Ford, James J. Hill, Michael Jordan…they ALL admittedly experienced in their own way “temporary defeat” and didn’t let their “failure” beat them down. Instead they got back up, made a sound plan, and continued on.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”~ Robert Kennedy

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