The cultural view that persistence accounts for success also understands a failure or setback as an opportunity to demonstrate grit; hence the adage, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  This message about challenges is expressed in many ways,, including the inspirational videos called “Famous Failures” which have been seen and viewed by millions of people on the Internet in various incarnations.  The gist of the message —Michael Jordan cut from his high school basketball team, Walt Disney fired from a job because he lacked imagination—is threefold: 1) Don’t believe in the assessments of others; 2) Failure is just a pit stop; 3) Persevere and you’ll get there. 

These efforts weren’t “failures” in the conventional sense, as is clear to any of us who have perfected a skill through trial and error —whether it’s baking, cooking, building, gardening, or anything else—which is a very different kind of failure than falling flat on your face.  Not surprisingly, this observation is backed up by research: In the pursuit of learning or mastery goals, which focus on the acquisition of new skills or learning, setbacks actually increase motivation.