Harsha Bhogle on the Fear of Failure

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to fail and letting outcomes happen naturally. He shares personal experiences, such as his unexpected success in the GATE exam and a disastrous job interview that led to a job offer. The speaker also addresses the obsession with outcomes in social media and its link to depression, advocating for a focus on the present and the beauty of life's unpredictability. He compares life to a test match in cricket, where second chances are always available, encouraging resilience and patience.

Takeaways

• 🚫 **Fear of Failure**: The speaker emphasizes that fearing failure is counterproductive and that even the most successful individuals have experienced more failures than successes.
• 🌟 **Success Stories**: Examples of successful people like Rahul Dravid, Michael Jordan, and Roger Federer are used to illustrate the point that failure is a common stepping stone to success.
• 🧠 **Mindset Matters**: The importance of having a fearless and open mindset, especially when facing challenges or opportunities, is highlighted.
• 📚 **Education and Career**: The speaker shares personal experiences of uncertainty during education and career, showing that not being overly attached to outcomes can lead to better performance.
• 📉 **Performance Under Pressure**: It's noted that when people are less afraid of failure, they tend to perform better, as seen in the speaker's own experience with the GATE exam.
• 📈 **Outcome Obsession**: The script points out that an obsession with outcomes can lead to stress and depression, as people often focus on results that are beyond their control.
• 📱 **Social Media Impact**: The influence of social media on our obsession with outcomes is discussed, with the speaker noting how quickly people check for likes and reactions.
• 🌐 **Living a Lie**: The speaker talks about how the pressure to maintain a certain image or outcome can lead to living a lie and increase stress and depression.
• 🏏 **Life as a Test Match**: Life is compared to a test match in cricket, where there's always a second chance or innings, suggesting that we should not be too fixated on immediate outcomes.
• 💪 **Resilience is Key**: The concept of 'hanging in there' is praised, with the speaker suggesting that resilience and persistence are more valuable than immediate success.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey about obsession with outcomes?

The speaker emphasizes that being overly obsessed with outcomes can be detrimental, and instead, one should focus on the present and not fear failure.

What example does the speaker give about Rahul Dravid's attitude towards failure?

Rahul Dravid is mentioned as an example of someone who wasn't afraid of failing, having scored less than 50 runs in 410 out of his 604 innings for India.

How does the speaker relate Michael Jordan's and Roger Federer's failures to his point about outcomes?

The speaker uses Michael Jordan and Roger Federer as examples to illustrate that even the most successful individuals have failed more often than they have succeeded, suggesting that failure should not be a source of worry.

What was the speaker's approach during the GATE exam, and how did it affect his results?

The speaker went into the GATE exam with an open mind, not afraid of failing, and ended up scoring more marks than his friends who were more focused and afraid of losing.

Why did the speaker fail his dream job interview in advertising?

The speaker failed his dream job interview because he wanted it too badly, which caused him to perform poorly. However, he was still offered the job with the condition of never having such a bad interview again.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of being present and not being obsessed with outcomes?

The speaker believes that being obsessed with outcomes can cause one to lose sight of the present, leading to unnecessary stress and potential depression.

How does the speaker describe the current societal obsession with outcomes, particularly on social media?

The speaker describes a societal obsession with outcomes, especially on Instagram, where people are constantly checking for likes and reactions, indicating a fixation on results that are out of their control.

What advice does the speaker give regarding life outcomes and the pressure to perform?

The speaker advises not to worry about outcomes in life, comparing it to a test match in cricket where there is always a second chance, unlike a T20 match.

Why does the speaker admire Cheteshwar Pujara's approach to test match cricket?

The speaker admires Cheteshwar Pujara's ability to 'hang in there' during tough times in test match cricket, as it reflects resilience and the understanding that there is always another opportunity to succeed.

What is the speaker's final message about 'hanging in' and its importance?

The speaker's final message is that 'hanging in' is beautiful and important, as it represents perseverance and the readiness to take advantage of future opportunities.