Lesson 13 - Failing Forward

I am continuing with my “Fabulous Exchange Project” and I did the final presentation of the $100 Challenge and gave to my colleagues to appreciation.

From “Treat Life As an Experiment” by Tom Kelley, IDEO:  “Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. Just ask Thomas Edison, the makers of WD-40, and vacuum guru James Dyson - who collectively tested thousands of ideas before finding a handful that stuck. But the point behind the practice of experimentation in innovative thinking, says IDEO General Manager Tom Kelley. Take risks frequently, and be prepared in case the resulting action fails to meet your expectations. Fail forward, and there will be learning from your mistakes along the way.”

From the speech of Thomas Monson “Great Expectations”

Prepare for the Race of Life

"The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes wrote,the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to  the strong” (Ecclesiastes 9:11); it is to him who endures to the end. The race of life is so important, the prize so valued, that great emphasis must necessarily be placed on adequate and thorough preparation."

Prepare Academically

"This is important because it is here that we learn the lessons which will help us meet the challenges of this changing world in which we live"

Put Forth the Effort

" Many years ago I had the opportunity to teach at the university level, and I remember that some students seemed to know where they were going. They applied themselves, they had objectives, they had goals, and they worked toward the achievement of these objectives and goals."

Prepare Spiritually

"Greater than our period of academic preparation is the matter of spiritual preparation. We must acquire for ourselves a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which testimony will be an anchor to our soul."

 "As your preparatory period at school comes to a close and you embark on the great

race of life, may I suggest some helpful hints which will assist you to achieve your great expectations."

Avoid Life’s Pitfalls

First, avoid the pitfalls in the track. Avoid the detours which will deprive you of your celestial reward. You can recognize them if you will.

They may be labeled “Oh, just this once won’t matter” or “My parents are so old-fashioned.” Bad habits also can be such pitfalls. At first we could break them if we would. Later, we would break them if we could.

Persevere Toward Goals

Second, beware of the flashy start and the fadeout finish. I love the simple wisdom found in this poem by an unknown author. I don’t think

it’s a literary masterpiece, but you can understand it.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;

Beginners are many, but enders are few.

Honor, power, place, and praise

Will come, in time, to the one who stays.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too;

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile

Will come life’s victories, after awhile.

Help Others

Third, help others in their race of life.

Remember that when you help another up a mountain, you are a little nearer the top yourself. Try to look at your brother or your sister in the right perspective.

Seek the Lord’s Help

Fourth, and finally, seek the help of the Lord. Souls are precious—your soul and my soul. Our Heavenly Father Himself has said so.

Remember that we do not run alone in this great race of life; we are entitled to the help of the Lord. To the Hebrews the Apostle Paul urged: Lay aside . . . sin . . . , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking [for an example] unto Jesus the author and fi