Failure - Shah Rukh Khan Speech (english)

Let Them Bark

4 Feb 202301:55

Summary

TLDRThe speaker reflects on their fear of failure and how it has driven their actions and choices. Coming from a lower-middle-class background and experiencing early losses, they equated poverty with failure. Acting was not a pursuit of passion but a means to avoid unemployment and poverty. They emphasize that success is not the absence of failure but the response to it. Through repeated failures, they discovered their true strengths, willpower, and the value of genuine relationships. Ultimately, they advocate for facing fears and embracing failure as a stepping stone to future success.

Takeaways

😟 Fear of failure can be a strong motivator.
🏡 Coming from a lower middle-class family influenced the speaker's perspective on success and failure.
👨‍👩‍👦 The speaker equated poverty with failure due to early life experiences.
🎬 Acting in films was driven more by the fear of poverty than by a creative desire.
🎥 Many of the films the speaker acted in were rejected by more prominent actors.
🛠 Success is not defined by the absence of failure but by one's response to it.
🔄 Pragmatism and adaptability are crucial responses to failure.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Failure helps identify true friends and test the strength of relationships.
💪 Overcoming failures builds a strong will, discipline, and confidence.
📜 Life is not just about achievements; it's about learning from failures and facing fears.

Q & A

What is the speaker's primary fear that has influenced their life choices?
-The speaker's primary fear is failure, which stems from their aversion to poverty and their upbringing in a lower middle-class family.
How did the speaker's father influence their perception of success and failure?
-The speaker's father was described as a 'beautiful man and the most successful failure in the world,' which likely shaped the speaker's early understanding of failure as an inevitable part of life.
Why did the speaker initially choose to act in films?
-The speaker chose to act in films not out of a creative desire, but out of a fear of failure and poverty, as a means to secure employment and avoid being poor.
What types of films did the speaker typically sign up for?
-The speaker often signed up for films that were 'discards of better-known actors' and projects that producers could not find anyone else to do.
How does the speaker define success in relation to failure?
-The speaker defines success as not the absence of failure, but rather the response to failure, which helps to buffer the reverses experienced in life.
What is the speaker's personal response to failure?
-The speaker's personal response to failure is pragmatism, a recognition and belief that if one approach does not work, then another will or might.
How has repeated failure impacted the speaker's self-perception?
-Repeated failure has taught the speaker to stop pretending to be someone else and has given them clarity to focus on things that really matter to them.
What role does failure play in the speaker's understanding of relationships?
-Failure helps the speaker to find out who their real friends are, as the true strength of relationships is tested in the face of strong adversity.
How has overcoming failures contributed to the speaker's personal growth?
-Overcoming failures has made the speaker discover their strong will and discipline, which has helped them to have confidence in their ability to survive.
What is the speaker's perspective on life's purpose beyond material acquisitions and fulfillments?
-The speaker believes that life is not just a checklist of acquisitions, attainments, and fulfillments, and that failure is a part of the journey to success.
What advice does the speaker give regarding facing fear and failure?
-The speaker advises not to be afraid of being afraid, but to face fears and failures head-on, as they are essential for learning and eventual success.

Outlines

00:00

😨 Overcoming Fear of Failure

The speaker discusses their deep-seated fear of failure, stemming from a childhood where poverty was equated with failure. They come from a lower middle-class family and witnessed their father, who they describe as a 'beautiful man,' as a 'successful failure.' This fear led them to pursue acting not out of passion but to avoid unemployment and poverty. They took roles that were not sought after by more famous actors, driven by the pragmatic need to work consistently. The speaker emphasizes that it's not the absence of failure that defines success, but rather one's response to it, which they describe as pragmatic. They have learned from repeated failures to be true to themselves and to focus on what truly matters, also discovering their own strength and discipline through overcoming adversity. The speaker concludes by advising not to fear failure but to face it head-on, as it can lead to success in the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Failure

Failure is the state of not achieving the desired outcome or result. In the video's context, it is presented as a driving force behind the speaker's actions and decisions. The speaker admits to being terrified of failure, which influenced their career choices and approach to life. The script illustrates this with the line, 'I don't want to fail,' highlighting the fear as a motivator rather than a deterrent.

💡Success

Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The video contrasts success with failure, emphasizing that it is not the absence of failure that defines success, but rather the response to it. The speaker shares their pragmatic approach to failure, which has led to a clearer understanding of what truly matters and the development of strong will and discipline.

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to perceived danger or threat. The speaker discusses their fear of failure and poverty, which has shaped their life choices. The script mentions, 'it was purely out of the fear of failure, and poverty,' showing how fear can be a powerful motivator, even if it stems from negative experiences.

💡Poverty

Poverty refers to the state of being extremely poor. In the script, the speaker equates poverty with failure, indicating a deep-seated belief that being poor is synonymous with not being successful. This belief influenced their decision to act in films, not out of passion but as a means to avoid the poverty they associated with failure.

💡Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a practical approach to problems and affairs. The speaker adopts a pragmatic response to failure, recognizing that if one approach does not work, another might. This mindset is exemplified in the script when the speaker says, 'if one approach does not work then the other will or might,' demonstrating a flexible and solution-oriented attitude.

💡Discipline

Discipline is the practice of training oneself to follow a set of rules or a code of behavior. The video mentions that overcoming failures has helped the speaker discover their strong will and discipline. This trait is crucial for surviving and thriving in the face of adversity, as it allows for consistent effort and perseverance.

💡Relationships

Relationships refer to the way in which people or things are connected. The script discusses how failure can reveal the true strength of relationships, as they are tested in the face of adversity. The speaker implies that only through shared struggles can one truly understand the depth and resilience of their connections with others.

💡Core Values

Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. The speaker mentions that repeated failure has given them clarity to stick to things that really matter, indicating that core values provide a guiding light in difficult times. By focusing on what is truly important, one can navigate through challenges with a sense of purpose.

💡Survival

Survival is the continued existence, especially in spite of difficult conditions or challenges. The video emphasizes the importance of having confidence in one's ability to survive, as it is a testament to resilience and adaptability. The speaker's experiences with failure have bolstered their belief in their survival skills.

💡Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new conditions or circumstances. The script suggests that failure teaches adaptability, as it necessitates finding new ways to approach problems and achieve goals. The speaker's pragmatism and discipline are examples of adaptability in action.

💡Overcoming

Overcoming refers to the act of surmounting or getting the better of a difficulty or challenge. The video's theme revolves around overcoming failures, which is portrayed as a process of learning and growth. The speaker shares that overcoming failures has led to self-discovery and a stronger sense of self.

Highlights

The speaker's fear of failure and poverty has been a driving force in their life.

Coming from a lower middle-class family, the speaker witnessed many failures, including their father's.

The speaker equated poverty with failure at an early age after their parents' death.

Acting in films was initially pursued not out of creative desire, but to avoid failure and poverty.

Many of the films the speaker signed were discarded by better-known actors.

The speaker's pragmatism and belief in finding alternative approaches when one fails is highlighted.

Repeated failure has taught the speaker to stop pretending and focus on what truly matters.

Failure helps in discovering who your real friends are and tests the strength of relationships.

Overcoming failures has revealed the speaker's strong will and discipline.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of having confidence in one's ability to survive failures.

Life is not just about acquisitions, attainments, and fulfillments; it's also about learning from failures.

Failing well is crucial for setting the stage for future success.

The speaker advises not to be afraid of being afraid, but to face fears and failures head-on.

The transcript emphasizes the transformative power of failure in shaping one's character and resilience.

Success is not about the absence of failure, but how one responds to it.

The speaker's personal experiences with failure have provided clarity and focus on their core values.