Goals, Setbacks and Roses

Pink RoseI watched “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” the other day. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a fun kid’s movie starring Dick Van Dyke. The song that I particularly noticed the words to was sung by Lionel Jeffries (he plays the grandfather). Some of the lyrics go like this:

So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you’ll bumble even less!
For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!

Last time I watched the movie, I noticed these lines too. I love that this song reminds us that when we don’t to reach our goals on the first try, it’s perfectly fine, because you’ll know what not to do next time and have a better chance at success.

I know it’s something I have to remind myself of. One setback or failure doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t try again. It doesn’t mean that I can’t reach the goal. And if you have a setback or a failure, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try again either.

Later the song it points out:

Disaster didn’t stymie Louis Pasteur! No sir!
Edison took years to see the light! Right!

Depending on which number you believe, it took Edison 1,000 to 10,000 tries to invent the light bulb. And he’s reported as saying:

I have not failed 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways to NOT make a light bulb.

Whatever your goal is, you can do it. Setbacks are opportunities to learn what doesn’t work for you and give you a better chance at success next time. Also, remember you have resources around you for help. Resources can come in the form of books, websites and people. If you need help or are stuck let me know!

What resources do you use when you have a setback?

You can go here to see a clip of the song.
Photo credit: Pink rose without frame by Candie_N via flickr

One thought on “Goals, Setbacks and Roses

  1. I have to give you a thumbs-up for mentioning one of my favorite actors (and dancers) EVER – Dick Van Dyke!

    I don’t know what it is but, wherever he goes, he spreads good cheer.. Or at least I feel that is the energy that he exudes. It could just be me!

    So, about your message here.. Yes, yes, and YES! Don’t be afraid to fail. I say this all the time. The only way we really learn is by trying things and finding out how NOT to do them. Well, at least that is how we perfect our skills, no?

    With regards to my own setbacks, I feel that establishing a group of go-to people you trust, love, and share common challenges with is key… You want people that have either been through what you are going through or are pretty much where you are in life. You can call it your mastermind group or, as I prefer, work-OUT buddies, but the point is these are the folks you can consult with about things that maybe you’re not comfortable sharing with the public due to how judgmental and silly some folks are.

    It also helps to have various backgrounds in this inner circle. That gives you fresh perspective, even if you are like-minded. As such, having common ground is great but being challenged in constructive ways is even better! Besides, we could all use a little nudge every now and them, yes? =o)

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