Gee-Q Mdluli
An Interview With Failure takes a unique approach to addressing the fear of failure by presenting Failure as a guest on a podcast. Together with the interviewer, Robin Finch, the affable Failure takes the reader on an exploration of his name's historical origins, from meaning "an opportunity, a gap to be filled" to being perceived as a looming threat of humiliation and shame. He goes on to educate readers on the power of language and, in particular, of the word "yet": a reminder of your ongoing quest that helps you persevere in the face of challenges.
The author, Sam Yankelevitch, touches on several topics related to failure, including the paralyzing influence of perfectionism, the illusion of insurmountable obstacles, and the underestimated danger of negative self-talk. The fear of failure is identified as the root cause of all three, in addition to being an unacknowledged hindrance to your progress. The question then becomes: Will you allow your fear of failure to ruin your life, or will you instead befriend Failure, thereby paving the way for your eventual success?
The author's passion and breadth of knowledge shine through in his in-depth explanations of all these concepts and creative workarounds in the way most of us have been conditioned to think about them. It’s a quick yet thought-provoking read, with each page filled with value and each cleverly placed analogy, story, and quote moving you further away from the limiting ideas you may have about how to make it in life.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, reserving one star for the errors I came across while reading. However, it's worth pointing out that the author has provided a disclaimer for this at the end of the book that gives a rather poetic explanation that, in the spirit of overcoming his own fear of failure and perfection, he has decided to make the book available as it is and then use any feedback he gets to improve it.
If you're seeking a motivational guide that will lift you up from your slump and get you ready to take on that project you've been putting off, this is the book for you. This book is filled with golden nuggets of wisdom that make it an excellent choice for a regular pick-me-up.
