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Tinashe D. Ndhlovu's avatar

This is so true - failing fast allows quick learning and improvement. It saves time and resources by identifying issues early. You gain valuable experience and knowledge rapidly. Like you said if you fail at all.

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

It really does allow quick learning and improvement.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, Tinashe.

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Harun Kewa's avatar

"Imagine how much fuller your life would be with less “what ifs”."

What a profound way to view life.

Brilliant essay, Odinakachi!

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words, Harun.

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roger hawcroft's avatar

Yes. "What ifs" are as invalid as success and failure because once a choice or change has happened, one cannot know what would have happened had we made a different choice. For a long time we had a "should have" jar in our home which operated in the same way as a "swear jar".

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Thank you so much for taking time out in your second response to break this down.

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Harun Kewa's avatar

I love the idea of a "should have" jar. The world is full of possibilities but if we only engage in hypotheticals we will never actualize any of those possibilities.

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Ayesha A.'s avatar

I agree!

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I’m so happy to hear that.

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Marisa Victus's avatar

This really resonated with me. Like you, I am a planner, a check-off-the-to-do-list type of person. Combine that thinking with fear of failure (and, ugh, rumination) and I have to work doubly hard to get out of my head and just do the damn thing sometimes. So I love this upside to failing faster: we get to redirect, move forwards faster, and stop the “what ifs.” That sure sounds like peace to me. Thanks for sharing, Odinakachi. 🙏

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I am so happy it resonated with you.

From one acute planner to another: sis, just do the damn thing.

I’m rooting for you as you play on platforms outside of your head.

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Odinaka Ugwuozor's avatar

Wish I read this year's ago, but better late than never. Thanks so much for sharing this truly insightful and thought-provoking piece, Odinaka.

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Uchenna Taiwo's avatar

Beautiful...Soo Beautiful...

This was Amazing...✨️❤️

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Oh my!

Thank you soooo much, Uchenna. 😍

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

while having a clear direction is essential, the fear of failure shouldn't paralyze us into inaction. "If I’m going to fail at all, I rather fail fast," is a liberating perspective that encourages us to act and iterate quickly. Wishing you continued success and growth in all your endeavors! 🧡

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I like the word, “liberating”. That was exactly how I felt upon stumbling upon the mantra.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Mohika.

I wish all the very best, too. 💜

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

you might not fail at all! great point

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Oh yes, we may not.

Thanks for engaging, Elizabeth.

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Raveen's avatar

'How you choose to greet it is entirely up to you...'

Exactly, Odinakachi. As with a lot of things in life, what really matters is our perspective and how we choose to respond to things such as failure.

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Your reply is so apt. Truly, perspective makes all the difference.

Thanks for engaging, Raveen.

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Emelumadu Ebubechukwu's avatar

OMDssss!!! This was such a deep read.

You see, trying? There's nothing as beautiful as trying. Most times, I say to people, "If I try and fail, at least I’d know I gave it my all." Now, imagine not trying at all. It's like not writing an exam because you're not sure you'd pass. Write it first, fail if you must, then restrategize.

I have my own share of delays and fears, but I know the truth, I know what to do. I'm not even that scared, but I'd say laziness plays a part. Omooo... Well, thank you for always putting out notes that keep me on my toes. I promise, I'll take off soonest!

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I read this comment more than once because the emotions embedded in it are raw and true.

I’m so happy my writing touched something in your heart. I’m so happy you allowed it to.

Also, I know you’d take off soonest and I can’t wait to see you soar above the level you’re used to. I’m always rooting for you, Nene. 🥰

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Joanna George's avatar

I completely relate to "direction is better than speed". Direction has a completely different energy and spirit to speed. With speed we are always chasing, but do we end up in the destination that aligns with us? Doesn't it just leave us emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted? Time also means different things in the context of direction and speed. I've found that if you focus first on direction then time will propel itself into action and speed up in necessary ways to help ease your direction if that makes sense? I also love things to make sense, society wants things to make sense, to fall into line and logic. But "sense" is arbitrary in the rhythm and mystery of our own lives. I've found that things make more sense when you lean into intuition, instinct and imagination.

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

“I've found that things make more sense when you lean into intuition, instinct and imagination”.

The above line warmed my heart deeply.

And I completely agree with you. Direction will always be better than speed, because like you rightly pointed out, is a domino that causes speed to also fall in place.

The only problem is when the search for direction supersedes doing, especially doing joyful things.

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.

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C. Elyse's avatar

My Dad would often remind, “Nothing beats failure, but trying,” and my Sister would say, “Take the risk, what’s the best that can happen,” and to be honest, you’re the only person with the authority to define success or to declare that you have failed. So, I say whatever it is, do the damn thing especially if it makes you happy.

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I really love what you said about who has authority to make pronouncements on the outcome of any venture. Truly, nobody has that right but the person who has ventured out.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

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C. Elyse's avatar

Lil Sis, I’m entering a new life cycle (soon to be 59), take it from me: You’re younger, there’s more opportunities than you realize, get it, girl! Because waiting until one day will lend to the best days passing you by, GET IT!

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I’m teary right now. Thank you for this reply. Just the words I needed to hear.😭

Thank you so much.

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C. Elyse's avatar

You’re welcome!

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roger hawcroft's avatar

Failure and success are both delusional human concepts. They have no validity. They are not objective markers but rather subjective assessments of a status relative to some, effectively, arbitrary standard or level. Often that standard or level is determined by some other person or entity and is questionable, arguable and in no way definitive. Even when failure or success are self assessed, they remain a delusion for they are not only subjective but, in any case, influenced by comparisons made that are influenced by a range of other factors such as socialisation, conditioning, indoctrination, significant others culture and more.

These concepts, despite being ubiquitously used to label all manner of activities, are artificial and dangerous for they often have significant influence on a person's self-esteem, sense of worth, well-being and satisfying life.

Each person is unique, as are their experiences. Whatever 'achievement' one accomplishes is particular to their particular make-up, environment, context and other factors including when and where its assessment is made.

In my view, these deficient concepts create much harm and create flawed decision making and understanding of oneself and others. If used at at all, such labels should be used with much caution and preferably, not at all. They are unnecessary and predominantly detrimental.

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

This is a very interesting perspective!

I also lean towards same school of thought. It’s just that at the end of the day, by virtue of their definitions, success and failure are valid concepts.

If you planned to send out a newsletter on Sunday and ended up not doing it, you’ve “failed” to accomplish the task. If you did as planned, you’ve “succeeded” in completing the task.

I understand that there has been a gross misconception of both concepts to the point that it’s almost like everyone is racing against some imaginary clock. It’s terrible!

However, we must be careful not to throw away the baby and the bath water. A realistic way forward would be for everyone to define success and failure for themselves (the measurement should be subjective like you said). I mean, there are lessons to be learned in every failed venture and those are often ignored because of the obsession with the negative emotions that “failure” brings. Emotions that have been enabled by our perspective, in the first place.

At the end of the day, balance is key!

Thank you so much for so generously sharing your thoughts.

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roger hawcroft's avatar

Odinakachi, I do understand your reluctance to accept that "failure" and "success" are valid concepts, however they are not, for the reasons I outlined.

Your examples do not support the claim of validity. A "plan" is an intention, in effect a 'prediction'. No prediction can be assured to come about. If one doesn't do as planned, therefore, if one didn't do "as planned", one simply hasn't done as intended. If one does do as planned, then one has done as intended. Whatever was intended has simply happened or not. It is neither "successful" nor "unsuccessful", it just what is.

So, the 'planning' example does not support your contention of validity for these terms even on that basis. However, more importantly, you ignore the main problem with the concepts, i.e. those concerning a 'standard' or 'level' which justifies positive or negative labels in absolute terms.

"Balance" is yet another unfortunate term that is far too often misused and inappropriate but that's incidental to the content of your article.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

I’ve been going over your perspective in my head. Wow! Will sure keep me occupied for a while.

I’ve learnt a lot and I’m thankful to you for making out the time to share your thoughts so generously.

What’s life without openness? I welcome diverse views with open hands.

Stay safe too.

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roger hawcroft's avatar

Yes, you are so right, Odinakachi, it is through openness, sharing and being willing to accept honesty and criticism without either rancour or feigned agreement.

I valued your article because it raised issues which are important to me and so stimulated my own thoughts. That, of course, as you clearly understand is the value of sharing and I thank you for your thoughts.

I care strongly about equity, equality and diversity. It bothers me that so many seem only to see difference as a threat, rather than welcoming it as an opportunity.

I also value language and its wise use. I also value questioning, for I consider it to be a most important element in learning.

So, thank you.

Take care. Stay safe. Some good advice here, thank you.

I don't doubt that you are probably right in terms of what you say relating to paragraphs and the negative affect of large blocks of text on the page for readers. However, I don't consider that this is about "paragraph structure", so much as about composition of content and concise presentation of your argument or narrative or whatever.

A paragraph should encompass the content that covers a single point or element of the whole. It is a grammatical component that collects together the sentences that deal with one concept, idea, argument, notion, action, explanation ...

Unfortunately, there is a tendency today to ignore or even demean grammar and its elements, whether a result of ignorance, the access to writing tools and ready distribution of content, the egotism of some who over-estimate the significance or worth of what they have to say, or whether for some other reason. Even many whose stock in trade is or ought to be the command of language, such as journalists, reviewers, presenters, academics and such, produce content replete with poor syntax, abysmal punctuation, idiosyncratic spelling and misused words.

It is not uncommon for poor adherence to grammatical rules, poor spelling and limited vocabulary to be excused or 'justified' on the grounds that meaning is all that matters. This is, of course, a self-defeating argument for the less precise and nuanced the content, the less likely it is that the intended meaning will be received. The process of communication involves several steps of thought, translation, transmission, receipt, decoding, thought, translation, responding and so on. Clearly, there is opportunity for loss of clarity or 'misunderstanding' at each step. As the process progresses, so the chance of change of meaning between the intent of the initiator and what the receiver interprets and understands, becomes increasingly likely. The effect is very simple to what is modelled by the experience in the game of "Chinese whispers."

So, I agree that paragraph content and presentation is powerful and therefore important. However, in my view, it ought still to be consistent with grammatical rules. The provision of pauses, space, changes in size of blocks of text and more ought to be made by careful composition and editing. appropriate terminology, elimination of unnecessary repetition and use of good vocabulary with syntactically correct structure.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️

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Odinakachi Nwonu's avatar

Your points are quite persuasive. I guess they provide another healthy way of approaching the subject matter.

I’m particularly thrilled about the counter argument you presented as regards the term “plan”.

Again, thank you so much for engaging. I’ve learnt a lot.

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