invention requires failure
I recently took the “Working Genius” gifts assessment, which indicated that Invention and Discernment are my sweet spots. As someone who likes to build things from scratch, AND help others discover and overcome their obstacles, this makes a lot of sense.
The thing about invention is that it inherently includes failure.
Consider Thomas Edison, who had 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before finally inventing a reliable (and safe) lightbulb. When asked about this, he replied, “I didn't fail 1,000 times. The lightbulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”
We would never expect a scientific inventor to immediately jump from idea to finished product without a line of "failures" along the way. So why do we expect this of our "inventors" in business, ministry or creative arts? And what would happen if we stopped thinking this way?
I recently pondered these things while helping a ministry organization figure out a new podcast they want to launch. At first I found myself apologizing for going back and forth on what the best idea might be, sometimes entirely contradicting concepts I had suggested along the way. But the more we wrestled through it, the more I realized that a deliberate process of back-and-forth is EXACTLY what it takes to avoid putting something out there that won't stick.
If we give ourselves time to test and permission to fail, the best idea will eventually rise to the surface, surpassing our initial concepts through the proven process of trial and error. There is no shame in this; humility is part of being a responsible inventor.
You don't have to apologize for the messy process of birthing a dream.
In fact, you should LOOK for ways it won't work, and invite people to poke holes, because it is the well-tested and lovingly refined invention that will do the most good in the end. And getting there is impossible without a few (hundred) failures along the way.
For TRUTH...
- Constance
