Try. Fail. Learn. Adjust. Part Five

*If you’ve just started reading this post I recommend you start with part one. I’m working through the thoughts and notes I first put there.  Read the first post HERE, the second post HERE, the third HERE and the fourth post HERE

This is part FIVE of the series and the final part. ADJUST

Wylie Coyote always does the same thing. I've begun to wonder if the problem with Mr. Coyote is actually ACME. Maybe they're not the problem. They sure know how to sell products and keep that Mr. Coyote coming back to buy more. Master marketers to one individual at least.

My. Coyote is not afraid of failing. I don't think there is any other cartoon in the history of cartoons that has tried and failed as much as Wylie Coyote. That guy just doesn't quit. What if we all had the same tenacity and crazy schemes that Wylie takes to work every day? Where would we be?

One thing we should learn from Wylie is the ability to adjust. If you keep doing the same thing, you'll get the same results. Adjust. Adjust. Adjust. Adjust till you can get it right.

"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." Jimmy Carter

I love hockey. I love it a lot. Growing up we wanted to have the perfect stick. It had to be the right height, the right curve, the right weight. Hockey players and their hockey sticks are like that awkward couple that never stop touching each other and you wish sometimes they would just not hang out with you.

Hockey players spend so much time with their hockey sticks. They torch them to help bend the blade. They tape in the right direction. They add extensions. They test the pressure of weight. They test flexibility and stiffness. They continual adjust their hockey sticks. Continually trying to get the perfect balance for that next great opportunity on the ice.

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

When you've tried something and you've failed and learned from it, how have you adjusted for the next time you'll try something?

For me with some production projects I have been a part of, I have learned I won't jump in so hastily. I'll be better prepared. I'll have more of a contract set-up before hand and expectations written down for all those involved. I have learned in filming HOW I want to shoot something. I have learned the importance of tripods and the necessary times for the 'shaky' look. It's come from trying, failing, learning and adjusting for the next time.

With knowing a few photographers, they constantly try, fail, learn and adjust. Usually a few dozen times in the middle of their photo shoots. Getting the lighting correct and adjust focus, shutter speed, aperture etc. They look to find that perfect shot and they adjust their way to get it.

Are you willing to adjust once you've tried, failed and learned? Are you willing to step out from you've failed at and try again?

(Postsecret Postcard)

I have a few things I want to try again and I'll be posting them in the couple months. I encourage you to come up with a list or some goals of things you want to try. Try following these lessons of Try. Fail. Learn. Adjust. and see just what might happen in your life.

Cheers, Matthew A. Hawkins

(Major HT: Craig Groeschel and Seth Godin)