TED Talk Tuesday #78: Embrace the near win

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. This week’s talk was posted by Neo Matsei. Here’s why she chose it:

We often beat ourselves up for failure or not doing something to the best of our ability. I find myself doing this often – the inner critic packs powerful punches, which leads to self-doubt and kills the drive to try again.

Sarah Lewis, assures us that failure does not have to be your reality – it should not be a setback. That, it is in trying again that you become a true master of something. That we should not wait to celebrate the big wins, but to also celebrate the small victories, which is our growth towards success.

“Success motivates us, but a near-win can propel us in an ongoing quest,” says art historian and critic Sarah Lewis. “Being a true master of something, be it personal or professional, requires failure, because every near-win drives individuals to improve their performance.”

I can only imagine the true pleasure that is in trying again after failing a few times, and then finally succeeding.

So, next time you feel like you haven’t achieved anything, take a moment to pause and recognise the efforts you’ve made and how far you’ve come from where you were yesterday. Then, celebrate!