As part of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, it is only fitting to include some wise words from one of our past presidents. I have chosen two quotes taken from “The Strenuous Life” to share how Roosevelt viewed and spoke about failure. (see text here) In these two quotes during his address it is clear that Roosevelt never let failure stop him, or define him throughout his life. Both quotes are more than advice but serve as a way of life that allows one to not view failure in fear but in ambition.
The first quote: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” When I read this I immediately think that he is reminding the audience that if there is no effort, then there is no chance for success. If the fear of failing, or not wanting to experience failure is so great that it inhibits us from trying, that is to Roosevelt worse than failing. I happen to agree with that statement, if I try and fail, I at least learned something, but if I give up out of fear or cowardice, then I have gained nothing, no knowledge, no experience, nothing. Roosevelt’s words ring true in so many situations, without an attempt to be successful, there will be no success. No one who is successful did so without risk, without trying. At least failing gives some sort of result, even if it is not the most rewarding or satisfactory, it is a result none-the-less. The other quote I want to draw attention to is this: “ Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” When I read this quote I quite literally think of the saying “go big or go home” because without trying there can be no rewards and that is what Roosevelt is saying. Following through is significantly better than not doing anything. The world of indifference is so much worse than even failure. Even being checkered by failure, having many trials, and errors for success is again better than not trying at all.
I share these two quotes because even though the words were spoken some time ago, they remain true and relevant today. Roosevelt stated that not trying is worse than trying and failing, and I personally believe that to be true. If you never try, you may never succeed, because success can not be reached without trial and error first. I challenge those of you reading this post to give something a try, especially if the stakes are low. Perhaps a new recipe, or a new workout, unless you give it a try, you will never know what the end result will be. I find myself wanting to hide behind not trying, but when I do, I learn so much more than I would have if I gave up, or never started.
The first quote: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” When I read this I immediately think that he is reminding the audience that if there is no effort, then there is no chance for success. If the fear of failing, or not wanting to experience failure is so great that it inhibits us from trying, that is to Roosevelt worse than failing. I happen to agree with that statement, if I try and fail, I at least learned something, but if I give up out of fear or cowardice, then I have gained nothing, no knowledge, no experience, nothing. Roosevelt’s words ring true in so many situations, without an attempt to be successful, there will be no success. No one who is successful did so without risk, without trying. At least failing gives some sort of result, even if it is not the most rewarding or satisfactory, it is a result none-the-less. The other quote I want to draw attention to is this: “ Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” When I read this quote I quite literally think of the saying “go big or go home” because without trying there can be no rewards and that is what Roosevelt is saying. Following through is significantly better than not doing anything. The world of indifference is so much worse than even failure. Even being checkered by failure, having many trials, and errors for success is again better than not trying at all.
I share these two quotes because even though the words were spoken some time ago, they remain true and relevant today. Roosevelt stated that not trying is worse than trying and failing, and I personally believe that to be true. If you never try, you may never succeed, because success can not be reached without trial and error first. I challenge those of you reading this post to give something a try, especially if the stakes are low. Perhaps a new recipe, or a new workout, unless you give it a try, you will never know what the end result will be. I find myself wanting to hide behind not trying, but when I do, I learn so much more than I would have if I gave up, or never started.
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