A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.

B. F. SKINNER

Have you ever set out to accomplish something, hit an obstacle of magnitude and wondered how or why you should continue?

In such circumstances, we discover the true meaning of the word pivot.

Pivoting has become a vogue in the modern tech climate, but to pivot is as old as time…

Especially in the art world. As they have used x-ray to look beneath the surface layer of some of Leonardo da Vinci‘s paintings, they discover older versions underneath the surface.

When you are bold enough to explore new territory, it is inevitable that you will encounter obstacles. That just comes with the terrain. As each and every obstacle manifests, we are that much more cognizant of the fact that we are in unfamiliar territory. This will inevitably make us feel less secure, and more trepidatious about what we might ultimately do next.

It is in that quiet moment of insecurity, in which all of the key lessons in this particular chapter of life are learned. For in this moment of indecision comes one of life’s greatest, most eye-opening experiences. This is the moment of summoning a deeper wisdom that will innately guide you to ever greater heights, provided you are willing to trust deep within and leverage your courage and pair that with intuition, in order that you might ultimately prevail.

Skinner developed behavior analysis. Considering free will to be an illusion, Skinner saw human action as dependent on consequences of previous actions, a theory he would articulate as the principle of reinforcement: If the consequences to an action are bad, there is a high chance the action will not be repeated; if the consequences are good, the probability of the action being repeated becomes stronger.

Given his life experience on the topic, I find this particular, quotation from him, incredibly motivating, in the sense that there are many times when we must make a decision in which the probability of the consequences yielding an unfavorable response are very high. Finding the courage to rise above that moment and prevail, is one of life’s greatest gifts.

If you are encountering, a current moment of defeat, I would encourage you to take this particular thought to heart. Then, take a deep breath, regroup and look at the situation from a new perspective. The answer is right in front of you, you just need to see it.

Happy Sunday!