Comments on: Failure in context http://www.coloradostartups.com/2009/06/05/failure-in-context/ The Startup Blog Network Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:26:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: JChauncey http://www.coloradostartups.com/2009/06/05/failure-in-context/#comment-1862 JChauncey Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:29:57 +0000 http://www.coloradostartups.com/?p=2799#comment-1862 My Calculus 2 prof in college told me once that failure is only finding the wrong way to do something (although I am sure he took that from the Edison deal about the lightbulb - which I wonder if he actually said). My Calculus 2 prof in college told me once that failure is only finding the wrong way to do something (although I am sure he took that from the Edison deal about the lightbulb - which I wonder if he actually said).

]]> By: Dave Rudder http://www.coloradostartups.com/2009/06/05/failure-in-context/#comment-1839 Dave Rudder Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:28:45 +0000 http://www.coloradostartups.com/?p=2799#comment-1839 Thank you for this post. I too have heard the mantras and been confused. Of course no one wants to fail!! Your post has made me feel better about my myriad "roadblocks" (thanks josh), while encouraging me to try, try again. I just recently had the conversation "is it time to fail?" Your post gives me ammunition to say "heck no!!!" Thank you for this post. I too have heard the mantras and been confused. Of course no one wants to fail!! Your post has made me feel better about my myriad “roadblocks” (thanks josh), while encouraging me to try, try again. I just recently had the conversation “is it time to fail?” Your post gives me ammunition to say “heck no!!!”

]]> By: josh http://www.coloradostartups.com/2009/06/05/failure-in-context/#comment-1836 josh Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:53:37 +0000 http://www.coloradostartups.com/?p=2799#comment-1836 In my opinion, this saying(s) means failure is inevitable in any business. Those who use this saying(s) try to prepare the listener for some level of failure. I don't see a difference in the two sayings mentioned, no matter the context. I think the problem is found in the use of the word "fail" or "failure" in either instance. Some interpret the word failure/fail in the absolute sense. A better word might be "roadblock" or "speed bump." A roadblock is an obstacle confronting the startup and to the literal among us, may be a better alternative to the word failure. Use of the word failure might condition the entrepreneur to expect absolute failure, whereas the word "roadblock" conditions the entrepreneur to expect obstacles in the road to success. In my opinion, this saying(s) means failure is inevitable in any business. Those who use this saying(s) try to prepare the listener for some level of failure. I don't see a difference in the two sayings mentioned, no matter the context. I think the problem is found in the use of the word "fail" or "failure" in either instance.

Some interpret the word failure/fail in the absolute sense. A better word might be "roadblock" or "speed bump." A roadblock is an obstacle confronting the startup and to the literal among us, may be a better alternative to the word failure. Use of the word failure might condition the entrepreneur to expect absolute failure, whereas the word "roadblock" conditions the entrepreneur to expect obstacles in the road to success.

]]>