Every October 13th, there's a celebration that might sound strange to us: the International Day for Failure. Why celebrate failure? Haven't we always been taught to avoid it? This is precisely where this day's uniqueness and significance lie.
International Day of Failure isn't about celebrating defeat or cheering on misfortune. Instead, it's a global movement calling on all of us to change the way we view failure. It's a day to be honest with ourselves, share unsuccessful experiences, and learn valuable lessons from them. The bottom line is that failure is human, and it's the first step toward success.
To understand why October 13th is so important, let's explore its history and what the big purpose behind it is.
The History of the Birth of a Crazy Idea from Finland
This unique celebration was first conceived in 2010. Interestingly, the idea didn't come from a giant corporation or government agency, but from a group of critically-minded students at Aalto University in Finland . At the time, these students recognized a major problem in their country: the fear of entrepreneurship .
The Aalto students realized that as long as this fear persisted, the entrepreneurial spirit in Finland would struggle to flourish. They then wondered how to eliminate the fear of failure in society? The answer: Normalizing Failure.
They decided to create a day dedicated to openly discussing and even "celebrating" failure. The goal was to remove the shame attached to failure and show that every successful person, even the greatest figures, has experienced failure.
The first celebration in Finland in 2010 was met with positive feedback. In subsequent years, International Failure Day began to receive national and international media attention. Support poured in from influential figures, such as Jorma Ollila , then Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nokia, and Peter Vesterbacka , creator of the popular game Angry Birds .
The support of these great figures proves that even those at the pinnacle of success have their fair share of failures. The celebration quickly spread from Finland to approximately 17 countries, and is now a global movement celebrated every October 13th.
Three Main Goals of International Failure Day
Why is International Failure Day so important and worth celebrating? There are three main goals it aims to achieve through this celebration:
1. Eliminate the Negative Stigma of Failure
This is the most fundamental goal. In many cultures, failure is seen as a disgrace, evidence of weakness, or the end of everything. International Day of Failure aims to counter this view.
Throughout this day, we're encouraged to view failure as invaluable feedback or data . Think of scientists: when an experiment doesn't work, they don't call it a "failure," but rather, they learn about what didn't work. The same is true in life and business.
By changing the word "failure" to "learning," we release its negative emotional baggage. We become more willing to try new things without the shadow of paralyzing fear.
2. Encourage Courage and Innovation
This day is specifically designed to spark a spirit of calculated risk-taking. For entrepreneurs, scientists, or even artists, innovation will never happen without trying things that have never been done before. And trying new things will almost certainly result in some initial failures.
With International Failure Day, people are encouraged to share stories of failed attempts and how they bounced back. Sharing these stories creates a safe environment where trying something and failing is considered normal. It acknowledges that failure is a necessary price to pay for innovation.
When we hear stories of successful people like Walt Disney (who was fired for being "unimaginative") or Thomas Edison (who conducted thousands of unsuccessful experiments before inventing the light bulb), we realize that failure is part of the process, not a barrier.
3. Inspiring and Motivating
One of the main activities on International Failure Day is sharing experiences. Many companies, universities, and communities hold events where successful figures are invited to speak not about their triumphs, but about their greatest failures .
Hearing this story provides a very real motivation. It dispels the illusion that successful people reach the top easily. It reminds us that the path to success is full of ups and downs. When we see an idol who has been where we are—whether confused, disappointed, or on the verge of giving up—we feel stronger and motivated to try again.
The essence of sharing this story is wisdom: Failure is the harshest teacher, but its lessons are the most enduring.
How Can We Celebrate International Failure Day?
Celebrating this day doesn't have to be with a big party. We can do it in simple, yet impactful ways in our daily lives:
- Honest Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a recent failure or mistake you experienced. Instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?"
- Share Your Experience: If you feel comfortable, share your failure story with friends, family, or on social media. Your story could be the motivation someone else needs.
- Try Something New: Take a small risk you've been afraid to take. Start a side project, take a new course, or propose a bold idea at work. Remember, not trying is the biggest failure.
- Read Inspirational Stories: Find and read stories of successful people that focus on the obstacles and failures they overcame. This will reinforce the belief that falling is part of the climb.
Conclusion
October 13th teaches us that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather an integral part of the journey to success . It's a reminder that every time we fall, we don't become losers, but rather, we've learned a valuable lesson and become one step wiser.
So, this October 13th, don't be afraid to embrace and admit your shortcomings and mistakes. Turn shame into courage. Because behind every exposed and analyzed failure lies the seeds of innovation, personal growth, and greater success. Let's make International Day of Failure a day to dare to try, dare to fail, and dare to get back up .
