Edition Twenty Seven: What is failure?

The Gothamist and DNAinfo sites were just abruptly shut down (Hire these people). I am so sorry to anyone affected, and if you need a coffee I’m there.

I had been thinking about failure a lot even before today, and how it’s interpreted differently depending on where you are in the grieving process. I’m in the midst of letting go of something and it’s not easy, but I am trying to remind myself it’s not failure.

So, here’s a list of what failure can be. 

Failure is part of the process.

Failure is key to growth.

Failure is an acceptable outcome.

Failure is defeating.

Failure is devastating.

Failure is (sometimes) liberating.

Failure is what you make of it.

Failure is one step toward the answer.

Failure is temporary.

Failure is not fatal.

Failure is inevitiable.

***

Recommendations

At ONA, we gathered some Middles and we took notes. Thanks to Emma Carew Grovum for being my partner in that and in an upcoming similar chat at SRCCON WORK.

If you want to see (and contribute!) to the notes from ONA, add to the Middles Survival Guide Google doc.

Great things I’ve read lately
The great art of avoiding assholes (Vox).  My fiancé and I got in a two-hour argument over emotional labor because of this piece. (Harper’s Bazaar). A sad piece about a polar bear. (Oregonian)

Jobs jobs jobs 

  • Product manager, platforms (NYT)
  • Chief Story Officer, Good/Upworthy (Email me for details)
  • Managing editor (KPCC)

Adorableness