Failure

Why is failure seen in such a negative light?

When you fail, it SHOULD make you better apt in not making the same failure again, right? We should not strive to fail but when it occurs we should analyze why and what steps need to be put in place to prevent or at least limit the chances of that same failure. This can be associated with pretty much any type of work project in most professions.

Here's great write up on the importance of Failure by Gary Vaynerchuk on INC: INC.com 

​Within Architecture, there are projects that run smoothly among all parties and there are others which... just run.. and run.. and run. The difficult ones seem to have endless problems with client expectations, contractor errors & miscommunication or unforeseen conditions at the construction site. You may feel like a failure. Though many may be out of ones control. 

In a profession where services are provided, there are many unknown variables which must be carefully researched and coordinated. These can include: Client expectations and anticipated end result(s), the contractor (or any third party) which is helping to facilitate the completion of the client's wishes, and the site. This could be an actual physical location or product or even a type of digitally generated item, just to name a few. Regardless of the medium, the end result is to meet the needs of the client and within architecture to honor any aspect of existing surroundings where it will be located. 

Here's more in-depth look at success and learning from failure from the Harvard Business Review: HBR 

​Even reminiscent of my Architecture Registration Exams (ARE), I remember vividly my first, and thankfully my only, failure. I rushed home to find the letter laying in my parent's black mail box. My hands shook as I opened it. Reading FAIL across the top of the letter made my eyes water. My mom gave me a pep talk in the midst of my frustration. I took a long pause to regroup but came back strong to complete my exams. It's not a race and it's not about competing with anyone else. You must run in your own lane headed to your goal. (Mike of Young Architect can give you some more help with this post on how to recover from an ARE failure: Failing Architect Exam)

When I was in my youth it was a common notion to practice and practice so you wouldn't fail. This is quite possibly the reason failure has such negative connotations. We are taught that failing is bad. However sometimes you need to fail fast to forward your progress. At the end of the day, an architect will learn the most during a challenging project. This is the same for any successful entrepreneur who has to try many iterations before coming up with a combination which works. We must not find failure as the end all... it's just a pause on the road to success.  

You can read more about the author and his story HERE. 

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