Nikol Laschan
ERNI Switzerland
Nikol, can you tell us about the author of the book?
Elizabeth Day. She failed in her private life, but out of this situation, she started a podcast on “How to fail” where she regularly interviews famous people and has become super successful with it.
How did you come across this book?
It was recommended in one of the journals which I regularly read.
Why did you choose this book?
I like new ways of thinking and getting new perspectives on certain topics.
Failosophy definitely gave me a new perspective on failure.
How did it influence you?
I started to see failure from a different perspective. I also understood that failure just happens and that is something that is totally natural, but the question is: How do we react to failure? And I for myself started to see it as an opportunity to grow. We also have to remember that our brain is an organ and we have the ability to control it.
What does it say about the topic? What is the main message?
Our success is determined by how we handle mistakes/failure.
Did you take away something for your daily practice? What was it?
- Yes, to reflect regularly and see myself in a non-judgmental way. When doing this, it helps to ask the following questions:
- Was it really a mistake?
- Could I have avoided it?
- What can I improve next time? What is the right next move?
– And as a side note:
- Ask for help; do not think that others expect you to be perfect.
- Try to act in a solution-oriented way instead of putting pressure on yourself.
Have you implement something from the book in a concrete project?
Yes, I honestly communicate about challenges if I see them coming up. At the same time, I try to look for solutions instead of freaking out 🙂 My colleagues usually appreciate that.
Imperfections are what make us human.
Why would you recommend the book to others?
It encourages others to see failures as learning opportunities and shows that failures should no longer isolate us, but connect us.