Blog Post of the Week! by Joyful Self Manager
Minions,
Ah, there’s nothing that fills me full of joy like the sound of failure in the morning.
Failure. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
I was appalled this week to read that European video game makers avoid failure in products they’re sending to America because people in the USA don’t like failure. We’ve been taught, according to them, to think that failure is bad. We turn from it. We shun it. So instead, they’ve replaced “failure” with “challenge,” which they say people in the US prefer.
Well, minions, I’m challenged to accept that.
Failure, for me, has always opened my eyes and made me work harder. Failure shakes me out of my sleep and makes me run faster and smarter.
That’s why this week’s soon-to-be-esteemed prize goes to Anthony from the Joyful Self Manager and his epic post Self Management – 5 Things You Should Appreciate About Failure.
Failure IS an option, but it shouldn’t be the end. Get back up. Learn from it. Move on.
Anthony, you may print this out and put it on your refrigerator.
8 Other Great Blogs You Should Be Reading But Might Not, So I’ll Remind You
Whose $%#! idea was it to limit this to eight blogs? I could have had twenty this week…well, here goes:
Krystal At Give Me Back My Five Bucks could have easily won the top spot with You Can Have Anything You Want But Not Everything. More great motivational writing from Krystal, who is currently in England, I believe.
Speaking of epic posts, Roshawn Watson is at it again with Do Americans Know What Poverty Really Is? This piece is so good, OG and I are discussing it on this week’s podcast. While Shawn’s posts are always thoughtful, this one is especially mind-bending.
Kathleen at FrugalPortland asks What’s the Point? I was disappointed to read her answer to this all-consuming question (something about happiness….). Hello? Kathleen? The point is More Doughnuts. Go back and rewrite the post, please.
On a related note, Squirrelers asks if we’re just a little to hard on ourselves in Penny Pinching on Basic Needs: Why? He hits the nail on the head: we don’t spend enough energy on the $1,000 items and WAY TOO MUCH on the $1.00 items.
In another answer to Kathleen’s question, I know what the point isn’t, and that’s Outlet Malls. Cil at the Millionaire Nurse asks To Outlet Mall or Not To Outlet Mall and comes up with some good points for and against. For the record, I’m against, but if you’re going, pick me up something nice from the Nike shop, pretty please.
If the point isn’t doughnuts, then it might be these awesome bean burgers from WorkSaveLive. This is the third recipe of Jason’s I’ve tried, and might be the best yet. If you haven’t cooked these babies yet, what are you waiting for? Check out: Blean Bean Quinoa Burgers.
Remember that event that was on television ages ago? You know the one…I think it was called the “Oil” something or other and was live from London? (Well, not REALLY live. We couldn’t be trusted with that, could we?) Oh, yeah, the Olympics! Well, here’s PK asking us Who Really Won the Olympics.
A new to me blog, Eyes on the Dollar, walks us through the story of a bear, a fire department, and debt in Does Credit Card Debt Have You Stuck? Welcome to the Yakezie family EoD! If you can come up with bear stories about debt, then surely there’s a NASCAR or doughnut story in you about life insurance or mutual funds. It’s great to have another fine writer to read every week.
We’re Very Popular and Humble, Too.
I’m incredibly grateful that we were mentioned in the following places:
This week, like most, I forgot to submit my stuff to carnivals. It doesn’t stink that bad, though. There isn’t a Ferris Wheel.
Our friend John at My Family Finances linked to OG’s post What Happens When You Fall Behind On Your Mortgage. I love the rest of his post about good writing on the internet. As always, John keeps it fresh.
Speaking of friends, Lance at Money Life and More mentioned our piece Don’t Be The Emperor With No Emergency Fund. I’m glad to have gotten to know Lance lately. Know those people you’d enjoy just sitting down having a beer with? I think Lance would be one of those guys.
Other Random Notes to End the Week Without a Flourish
Our first Diary post went out to our subscribers this week. I’ve been threatening to send it for ages, and now it’s in everyone’s hot little hands (edit…just found out it’s going out Friday around noon. If you’re reading this before then, it’s on the way!). If you want to know what we’re thinking about blogging and improving the site and podcast, it’s all in there. We’ll send out a new one every week.
Thanks to my buddy Doug for some WOW feedback about our podcast. I love Gordon Ramsay and Simon Cowell for a reason; they give it to people no-holds-barred. Doug shared stuff he loves and hates about our show. Feedback like that I really, really appreciate. Look for some changes based on our talk.
AND finally, I’m on final approach to announcing my real name. There are so many things I’d like to share about my credentials and history that I just can’t say yet…hopefully next week. Fingers crossed.
Until next week, minions. Be safe out there.
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Thanks so much for the mention. My first pingback!
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Health Savings Acount 101
Peeling off the mask? But I already know your name!
Also – good on European Video Game creators. We don’t want your failures!
PK recently posted..Does Paul Ryan Really Scare Seniors?
SHHH!!! I know yours too, PK, but that doesn’t mean the mask is off.
Hey, Joe. I used to be one of those people who didn’t value failure. Like most Americans, I was taught to think of failure as some type of disease that had to be avoided at all cost. However, I see now that this way of thinking is ridiculous. Without failure, we’ll never work hard at reaching our potential, and thus we won’t appreciate success.
Thank you for featuring my post. It made me feel great that you of all people found it valuable.
Anthony Thompson recently posted..Self Management – 5 Things You Should Appreciate About Failure
It’s the man of the hour! Make sure that baby goes on your refrigerator, Tony. It’s sadly the only award you’ll actually receive until we find that big name sponsor.
Failure to me is a good thing. It teaches us what doesn’t work, helps us grow and develop and opens doors. I don’t usually look at it as bad. Many people do though which is unfortunate.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..Build Your Home Food Storage Without Breaking the Bank
You too, Miss T. I also think it’s sad. My favorite mentors and bosses were ones who loved keeping people running fast enough that we knew we’d fail…and so did they, so they used it as a learning too.
Hey Joe, I’m so honored to be among your posts of the week
I need to check my settings, as I am NOT getting pings! Thanks for the twitter notification. Have a great weekend. I wouldn’t say that I love failure, but I do understand that value can be gleaned from it.
Roshawn @ Watson Inc recently posted..Do Americans Know What Poverty Is?
That’s strange…the link works. Not sure why you’re not getting pinged.
If we’re ever in the same city you can take me up on that. Although I’ll probably get a rum and coke… not a big beer drinker
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Why Don’t I Ever Take My Paid Time Off?
Alright, Lance! Rum & coke it is. I think we’ll have a great time.
Thanks for the mention. I found a pair of New Balance that might fit your feet. Unfortunately for you I found ‘em in my closet and they have a few worn spots….
Can’t wait for you to show your true stripes Clarke, I mean Super Man….
Dr Dean recently posted..Is it or Is It Not Bragging?
Shhhh. You’ll give it away!
This is an interesting mix of reading. I’m going to check out Roshawn’s, and I gotta read up on failure…. I’m an expert on this one, I try to fail as much as possible
that way I’ll get closer to success.
Barbara Friedberg recently posted..YOUR MIND AND YOUR MONEY (part 2)
Right on, Barb! The second I fear failure, I’m doomed to accomplish nothing.
Failure is an opportunity to learn what didn’t work and what you will have to improve on. It challenges you…and not everyone is ready for the challenge! It’s all in how you look at it. Is the glass half empty or half full? For me it’s half full!
Ornella @ Moneylicious recently posted..3 Rules for Financial Safety Every College Student Can Follow
Thank you for highlighting Anthony’s article. He is a great fellow blogger. I am big believer in celebrating failure more than success, as failure is the mother of success.
Shilpan recently posted..Book Smarts vs Street Smarts: Who can Achieve Financial Freedom?