In my opinion, as the early days of Singapore was very tough, the elder's advise for the young was that one would or could only be successful in his career is by studying hard, get a degree and get a professional job. Do not rock the boat and you will reach the goal safely. This safety approach is not wrong. I suspect the play it safe belief had influenced our personality subconsciously. This culture had sunken into us for decades and had affect us in our career, business decision, innovation ideas or decision making. Many prefer to stay put rather facing failure. Many prefer the tried-and-tested formula rather than facing a backfire. If you say that you wana set up a business, many will frown or say no-no. Many will think you are building castle in the air. I remember few years ago, an army friend told me he is afraid to to set up a business. So I ask him,"What are you afraid of?". He replied,"He is scare to fail." I am sure many share his fear. Many fear losing their hard earned money, time, effort and pride. Some even fear losing behind their peer groups. Many graduate will stick to their well paid white collar job. But nowadays, the word Entrepreneur had became a trendy buzzword. Secondary student to graduate wana become an Entrepreneur. Haa... now many young people wana sell from clothes to fashion accessories, cupcakes to cakes, cafe to restaurant, etc. But many are still playing safe by choosing the formula that other people had tried. Well, on the positive note, it is still a step forward to face failure.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Are You Afraid to Fail
Recently I had read an article on Today: All S’pore has to fear is the fear of failure by Julian Persaud. He had pointed out that Singaporean are afraid to fail. I agreed with him. Or perhaps should I say many people around the world are afraid to fail.
In my opinion, as the early days of Singapore was very tough, the elder's advise for the young was that one would or could only be successful in his career is by studying hard, get a degree and get a professional job. Do not rock the boat and you will reach the goal safely. This safety approach is not wrong. I suspect the play it safe belief had influenced our personality subconsciously. This culture had sunken into us for decades and had affect us in our career, business decision, innovation ideas or decision making. Many prefer to stay put rather facing failure. Many prefer the tried-and-tested formula rather than facing a backfire. If you say that you wana set up a business, many will frown or say no-no. Many will think you are building castle in the air. I remember few years ago, an army friend told me he is afraid to to set up a business. So I ask him,"What are you afraid of?". He replied,"He is scare to fail." I am sure many share his fear. Many fear losing their hard earned money, time, effort and pride. Some even fear losing behind their peer groups. Many graduate will stick to their well paid white collar job. But nowadays, the word Entrepreneur had became a trendy buzzword. Secondary student to graduate wana become an Entrepreneur. Haa... now many young people wana sell from clothes to fashion accessories, cupcakes to cakes, cafe to restaurant, etc. But many are still playing safe by choosing the formula that other people had tried. Well, on the positive note, it is still a step forward to face failure.
I admire embrace the failure spirit of Silicon Valley. They seems like a charging bull with full of passion. Never fear failure. They believe failure is a step forward. As long as you learn from the lesson you are gearing towards success. They take failure as a learning curve to success. I believe it is this culture that bring them so many success and innovation that shake the world up. I believe great leader or entrepreneur have this no-fear attitude.
In my opinion, as the early days of Singapore was very tough, the elder's advise for the young was that one would or could only be successful in his career is by studying hard, get a degree and get a professional job. Do not rock the boat and you will reach the goal safely. This safety approach is not wrong. I suspect the play it safe belief had influenced our personality subconsciously. This culture had sunken into us for decades and had affect us in our career, business decision, innovation ideas or decision making. Many prefer to stay put rather facing failure. Many prefer the tried-and-tested formula rather than facing a backfire. If you say that you wana set up a business, many will frown or say no-no. Many will think you are building castle in the air. I remember few years ago, an army friend told me he is afraid to to set up a business. So I ask him,"What are you afraid of?". He replied,"He is scare to fail." I am sure many share his fear. Many fear losing their hard earned money, time, effort and pride. Some even fear losing behind their peer groups. Many graduate will stick to their well paid white collar job. But nowadays, the word Entrepreneur had became a trendy buzzword. Secondary student to graduate wana become an Entrepreneur. Haa... now many young people wana sell from clothes to fashion accessories, cupcakes to cakes, cafe to restaurant, etc. But many are still playing safe by choosing the formula that other people had tried. Well, on the positive note, it is still a step forward to face failure.
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