Lessons Learned - A Better Life

There is an amusing irony to the idea that more mistakes can lead to a better life.  While the trip can be a challenge, the end is enjoyable.  We see this in many "overnight success" stories if we fail to look at the journey.  It is not the same as the end justifying the means.  However, learning from mistakes is a way to make the most of the price paid for them.  We cannot roll back time, but we can avoid repeating it.

The stories shared in this season did not all focus on becoming a better developer.  Nevertheless, they point to a better life, which leads to that more specific goal.  We are not able to be our best in one area if we are not also examining all areas of our life.  It is like a race car with a top-notch engine but shoddy tires.  We are the combination of all of our attributes.

Life is treacherous, and no one gets out alive.  However, we can spend time learning from our mistakes (and those of others) to make it more fun over time.  We can even see mild to wild success from those early errors.  Maybe the secret to a happy life is eliminating enough bad choices that only the best options are left.

If you like this season, you will probably like Scott Adams' book, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life."