“Failure is not an option. It is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time with more wisdom.”

Failure is not the end—it is a message. Yet, many people treat it as a final destination rather than a pause in their journey toward success. The key difference between those who rise after failure and those who remain stuck is their ability to examine their failure.

To examine means to analyze, reflect, and extract valuable lessons from setbacks. When failure is ignored, mistakes are repeated. But when failure is studied, it becomes a stepping stone to success.

Why Should We Study Failures?

Imagine two students who fail an exam. One blames bad luck and moves forward without making changes. The other reviews their mistakes, identifies weak areas, and adjusts their study habits.

Who is more likely to succeed in the future?

The way we respond to failure determines whether it becomes a roadblock or a setup for success.

The Wright Brothers: From Failure to Flight

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were not the first to attempt powered flight. Many had tried before them and failed. What set them apart was their relentless investigation into why previous attempts had not worked.

Instead of blindly pushing forward, they:

  • Studied why earlier flying machines crashed.
  • Researched aerodynamics in depth.
  • Experimented with wing shapes and wind resistance.

Through persistent examination, they discovered the principles of controlled flight. In 1903, they made history by building the world’s first successful airplane.

Their approach reflects a timeless lesson from the Bhagavad Gita:
“An intelligent person does not grieve for the past but uses knowledge and wisdom to move forward.” (Chapter 2, Verse 11)

Had the Wright brothers ignored failure rather than investigating it, aviation might have been delayed by decades.

Failure Without Investigation is a Wasted Lesson

1. Unraveling the Cause: The Story of Tata Nano

When Ratan Tata introduced the Tata Nano, the world’s most affordable car, he expected an automobile revolution. However, the car failed commercially.

Instead of ignoring the failure, Tata Motors examined why consumers were not buying it. Their findings revealed that:

  • Consumers associated “cheap” with “low quality.”
  • The marketing made people feel embarrassed to own a Nano.
  • Safety concerns affected buyer confidence.

Through this investigation, Tata Motors learned a critical business lesson—price alone does not drive sales; perception and branding matter.

This aligns with the wisdom of Chanakya:
“Before undertaking any project, study its weaknesses and strengths. Failure often comes from ignoring these details.”

Had Tata Motors not examined the Nano’s failure, they might have repeated the same branding mistakes in future projects.

2. Studying Before Changing Course: Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb

Thomas Edison’s journey to inventing the light bulb was filled with failures. He experimented with thousands of materials, but each attempt ended in disappointment.

However, rather than giving up, he investigated why each attempt failed. Through careful examination, he:

  • Tested over 10,000 filament materials.
  • Studied heat resistance and electrical conductivity.
  • Documented each failure to refine his next attempt.

His famous words?
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

His commitment to investigation led to one of the most game-changing innovations in human history.

3. The Mahabharata’s Lesson: Investigate Before Acting

In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, was known for his wisdom. Before making any decision, he investigated every detail.

When the Pandavas were exiled to the forest, Krishna advised them to reflect on their past mistakes. Instead of dwelling on their loss, they analyzed:

  • Their blind trust in Shakuni, which led to their downfall.
  • Their lack of political strategy, which made them vulnerable.
  • Their failure to recognize deceit, which cost them their kingdom.

By examining their mistakes, they:

✔ Strengthened their alliances.
✔ Trained in warfare and strategy.
✔ Gained a deeper understanding of their enemies.

When they finally returned, they were wiser and better prepared, leading to their victory in the Kurukshetra war.

Had they ignored their failures, they would have repeated the same mistakes. The lesson? Investigation turns failure into wisdom.

How to Effectively Investigate Failure

1. Ask “Why” Multiple Times (The 5 Whys Technique)

Developed by Toyota, this method helps uncover the root cause of a problem.

Example:

🔹 Why did I fail the test? → “I didn’t study enough.”
🔹 Why didn’t I study enough? → “I procrastinated.”
🔹 Why did I procrastinate? → “I lacked motivation.”
🔹 Why did I lack motivation? → “I didn’t see the subject’s relevance.”
🔹 Why did I feel that way? → “I never connected the subject to my goals.”

🔹 Root cause? It wasn’t just about studying—it was about lacking purpose.

2. Collect Data and Seek Feedback

  • Business failure? Talk to customers and employees.
  • Personal failure? Seek advice from mentors.
  • Relationship failure? Understand both perspectives.

3. Recognize Patterns

Are you failing in the same way repeatedly? Identifying patterns helps break destructive cycles.

4. Experiment with New Approaches

Investigation should lead to action. Modify your strategies, try different methods, and apply lessons learned.

India’s Mars Mission: A Success Rooted in Investigation

When ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), they faced the same challenges as NASA and ESA—budget constraints, technology limitations, and extreme precision requirements.

However, ISRO’s approach was based on investigation:

✔ They studied past mission failures by other space agencies.
✔ They analyzed why certain satellites failed to enter Mars’ orbit.
✔ They found ways to reduce costs without compromising quality.

Result?
✅ Mangalyaan succeeded on the first attempt, making India the first country to reach Mars in its maiden mission—at a fraction of the cost of other space programs.

This aligns with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s wisdom:
“Examine your past failures not to feel discouraged, but to fuel innovation and problem-solving.”

Final Thoughts: Investigate, Don’t Ignore

Failure is inevitable. But whether it becomes a wasted setback or a stepping stone to success depends on investigation.

✔ The Wright Brothers studied why planes crashed before making them fly.
✔ Tata Motors examined consumer psychology to improve business strategy.
✔ Thomas Edison investigated 10,000 failures before inventing the light bulb.
✔ ISRO analyzed past mission failures to succeed in reaching Mars on the first attempt.

So, the next time you face failure, don’t ignore it. Investigate it. Learn from it. Improve because of it.

As Swami Vivekananda said:
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead. If you lose, you can guide.”

Failure is only a dead end if you refuse to examine it. But if you analyze and adapt, it becomes the path to something greater. 🚀

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani), 
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!

My Values:  Creating value for others. 

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