Does failure help or hurt us? Many famous people believe we learn from failure and need it to succeed. However, the positive effect of failure depends on the percent of failure, our reaction (反应) to it, and whether we have a plan ahead. We learn best from a little failure. How much? About 15% according to a study. If a challenge is too easy, we can't learn anything. If it is too difficult, we will stop trying. People learn fastest when they get the answer right 85% of the time. In one study with college students, researchers made an impossible task, so everyone failed. They divided the students into two groups. Researchers encouraged one group to pay attention to their feelings about failure. The other group focused on their own thoughts. Those who paid attention to their feelings about failure tried harder the second time. In a different study, some people took responsibility for their mistakes, and some didn't. Those who took responsibility were more likely to succeed in a second task. After that, researchers asked college students to write an essay (文章). They gave half the students a plan for the essay. The others didn't have one. Then the researchers stopped all students before they completed the task. Those students with a plan were more active to finish. Everyone experiences failure. Some people stop trying. Others try harder. The percent of failure, our reaction to it, and having a plan can make failure a positive experience. We need to take responsibility for our mistakes and prepare for the next time. Then failure can be a path to success. |
