Success or Failure

Contrary to the common saying that people learn more from failure, psychological studies are showing otherwise. While people are typically inclined to remember and dwell on their failures, they have shown to actually improve more after achieving success. When met with success people often excel and continue to progress their successes or even repeat the process to result in more prosperity. 

An experiment conducted with monkeys led researchers to discover that monkey’s brains were capable of keeping track of recent successes and failures. The monkeys were subjected to a two-choice visual task, those who had correct answers displayed impressive results; the animal’s neural processing improved and performed significantly better in the next trial. However, if the monkey made one mistake, even after mastering its task, it would perform by chance in the next trial. To clarify, the monkeys were thrown off or discouraged by their mistakes rather than learning from them.

This principle also applies to people, for instance, Torchy’s Tacos an Austin favorite, which began as a food truck is currently opening countless new brick and mortar locations around the U.S.  Sales started soaring after business owner Mike Rypka began passing out his award-winning chips and salsa to people on the street and inviting them to give his tacos a try.  Soon after, his tacos gained popularity and became widely known among Austin citizens. Rypka took the opportunity brought to him by good marketing, quality product and service, and recognition to advance his business. He took a positive outcome that resulted from hard work and then took it further. 

As an artist I experience this as well, I’m constantly developing my work and trying new things. After practicing experimental techniques, I constructed a stylized formula in which I like to apply to my drawings. This set a growth in motion, I have since improved in skill and added onto the positive effect of exploring new styles had on my work. Due to a successful advance in style, I continue to grow artistically through these techniques and build on what I have learned. 

Although it depends on personality, more people are discouraged by failure and are apt to repeat their mistakes, examples being; Repeat drunk drivers, those who are prone to binge eating, and people who fall into unhealthy relationships repeatedly. Most people believe that you will learn more from failures because they reveal what you did wrong and how you can improve, but many are discouraged and turned off by their mistakes and are more apt to be motivated to excel and improve when they achieve a goal or make a beneficial decision.

Compostion for English: November, 2018