— Herman Merville
Insights on Today's Quote
The classic debate—failure or success? But not just any failure, and not just any success. We’re talking failing in originality versus succeeding in imitation. Now, on the surface, you’d think, “Hey, success is success. Why does it matter if you’re mimicking someone else?” But that’s the catch, isn’t it? Succeeding in imitation feels like winning a race by riding someone else’s bike—sure, you crossed the finish line, but did you really earn that victory?
Originality, on the other hand, is like creating your own bike from scratch. It might wobble, the handlebars could fall off mid-ride, and you might end up face-first in the dirt. But, oh, the thrill of knowing it’s yours! Even in failure, there’s this kind of odd satisfaction—like, “Yep, that mess? That’s all me!” It’s the bruised ego of a creator, not the hollow triumph of a copier.
And let’s be honest, the world remembers the bold missteps of originals more fondly than the polished perfection of copycats. Think about all the times someone attempted something truly different, failed spectacularly, and then later became a cult icon (or at least a fantastic meme). That’s the essence of originality—it leaves a mark, even if it’s a skid mark. Success through imitation, though? It fades fast, blending into the background like yet another beige wall in a sea of beige walls.
So yeah, if you’re going to fail, fail big, fail creatively, and fail with style. Because in the end, nobody ever hangs a poster on their wall of the guy who succeeded by being just like everyone else. They hang posters of the rebels, the misfits, and the dreamers whose wild attempts may have crashed and burned—but did it with flair.
Step Up to the Challenge
The Originality Dare:
Think of something you’ve been wanting to create—whether it’s a blog post, a piece of art, a business idea, or even a recipe. Now, instead of playing it safe or borrowing ideas from what’s already out there, push yourself to create something completely unique. The goal isn’t to succeed in making it perfect but to explore your own creative boundaries without worrying about how it compares to what’s already been done.
Steps:
- Set a timer for 30 minutes.
- Brainstorm something new—no Googling or looking up how others have done it.
- Create the thing, whatever it is. Focus on originality over execution.
- Reflect: How did it feel to prioritize originality, even if the result was imperfect?
The challenge is less about the final product and more about embracing the potential beauty in failing at something truly yours.
