99 percent of success is built on failure

99 percent of success is built on failure

Charles Kettering, an American inventor, engineer, and businessman, is often credited with the quote, "99 percent of success is built on failure." This statement encapsulates the idea that failure is an essential part of the journey to success. Kettering himself experienced numerous setbacks and failures throughout his career, but it was through these challenges that he was able to learn, grow, and ultimately achieve great success.

Kettering's most notable invention was the electric starter for automobiles, which revolutionized the automotive industry and made it easier for people to start their cars. However, before achieving this breakthrough, Kettering faced many failures and setbacks. He experimented with various designs and prototypes, many of which did not work as intended. It was only through trial and error, learning from his mistakes, and persevering through failure that he was able to eventually create a successful product.

Kettering's philosophy on failure can be applied to many aspects of life, not just in the realm of invention and innovation. In any endeavor, whether it be starting a business, pursuing a passion, or achieving a personal goal, failure is inevitable. It is how we respond to failure that ultimately determines our success. Those who are able to learn from their mistakes, adapt, and keep pushing forward are the ones who ultimately achieve their goals.

Failure is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather embraced as a necessary part of the journey to success. It is through failure that we gain valuable insights, develop resilience, and ultimately grow as individuals. As Kettering himself once said, "You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere." In other words, failure is a natural part of progress and should be embraced as a stepping stone on the path to success.