Perceive Without Quitting: Understanding Failure as a Step Before Success


Success is often seen as the ultimate goal, the pinnacle of our achievements. We strive for it, work towards it, and celebrate it when we reach it. But what about failure? We tend to see it as the opposite of success, something to avoid at all costs. But what if I told you that failure is actually a step before success? That it can be a valuable learning experience that propels you forward towards your goals? In this blog post, we’ll explore the idea that failure is not something to fear, but something to embrace and learn from.

Firstly, let’s define failure. Failure is simply not achieving the desired outcome. It’s important to note that failure is not a reflection of your worth as a person. We all fail at some point in our lives, and it’s how we respond to failure that makes all the difference. The fear of failure can be paralyzing, but if we shift our mindset and see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, we can use it to our advantage.

One of the greatest benefits of failure is that it teaches us resilience. When we fail, we experience disappointment, frustration, and even embarrassment. But if we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep going, we become more resilient. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. It’s an essential quality for success in any area of life, and failure can help us develop it.

Another benefit of failure is that it can lead to creativity and innovation. When we’re faced with a challenge and our first attempt fails, we’re forced to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. This process of trial and error can lead to breakthroughs and new discoveries. Many of the world’s greatest inventors and innovators experienced failure before achieving success.

Lastly, failure can teach us important lessons. When we fail, we have the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong and how we can do better next time. This process of self-reflection and learning is crucial for personal growth and development. It allows us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and work on improving ourselves.

In conclusion, failure is not something to fear or avoid, but something to embrace and learn from. It can teach us resilience, lead to creativity and innovation, and help us learn important lessons. Remember that failure is a step before success, and don’t give up on your goals just because you experience setbacks. Persevere, learn from your failures, and keep moving forward. With this mindset, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success

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Ricky Ponting and his attitude towards SUCCESS!!!



It’s a story about Ricky Ponting, one of the Greatest Cricketers to have ever approached the game.

The trait that made Ponting different from other cricketers was his sheer attitude towards the game. It was his never-say-die spirit. It’s a revelation of that attitude.

Someone once asked him the secret to his ability to find the gaps in the field. His answer was simple, yet revealing.

He said, “Every batsman surveys the field before taking strike, and usually the fielders get imprinted on his mind. They can almost see every fielder in their mind’s eye. 

But in my head, I don’t see the fielders. I only see the gaps!”

And that as his tally of runs shows made all the difference.
We could all take a leaf out of Ponting’s book:-

  • Don’t focus on the obstacles.
  • Look for opportunities.
  • Focus on your ability to solve the problems.

Life in many ways is like a game of cricket. There will be fielders out there who will stop you from scoring those runs.

There will be an opposing captain who will try his hardest to place the fielders in a manner that will make it difficult for you to score those runs. 

Your job is to find the gaps.

Next time, you see a problem or an obstacle, think the Ponting way. And see the gaps! 

No matter what, success will be your’s!!!

A book I can read again and again without getting bored…..


It is after reading this book my life got transformed… It was during 2004 I got this book and finished reading it at one go… 

My Situation: My company was in near disaster when 35 out of 40 of my staff resigned in less than 2 weeks..

That was the first time I came across an attrition and I was almost collapsed… I got convinced that my four year entrepreneur journey has come to an end..

It was after reading this book that I got the confidence to fight back… The book taught me how to approach failure… My entire perception about failure changed and I stared looking for opportunity and lessons from every failure…

The book talks about ways of turning setbacks to success and it is conveyed with 27 real life cases..

I keep reading this book when ever I feel demotivated… Till now I would have read this book more than 50 times and I keep gifting this book to entrepreneur friends…

A small snippet about Failure from the book;
Old Definition:A negative, fatal, and final result indicating: 

  • An inability to perform and a lack of success 
  • A falling short because of ineptness, deficiency, or negligence 
  • A bad, bad thing that should be avoided, mourned, and punished. 

New Definition: A short-term unexpected result that reflects a challenge in progress and that provides: 

  • A stepping-stone to success 
  • An opportunity for learning and development 
  • An opportunity for creative change and innovation.

Finally I’ve to thank the author Charles Manz for giving us such a wonderful book.. Your book had huge impact on me SIR!!!

Thank You Once Again SIR!!!

The key to success!!!



Knowingly or Unknowingly all my business ventures have been launched before I ready!!

My first venture Agriya;

  • It was started even before I was out of college!!!
  • Never possessed any technical or interpersonal skills!!! 
  • Could call myself a fresher entrepreneur!!

This was a turning point not in my life but also for a bunch of friends and acquaintances who started their own ventures looking at the success of my first venture!!!

My second venture People Justice Magazine!!!

  • Started at the age of 24!!!
  • No idea on how to run a magazine and that too a Tamil one!!!
  • No expertise on collecting news!!!
  • No experience in editorial!!!

The venture failed as I was not full time into it!!! Also the team I formed didn’t connect with the vision I carried!!! I wanted to go digital during 2005 and the team collapsed for the same reason!!! Today it would have been a great if we have changed!!! Anyway the learnings and connects it gave me was stupendous!!! Also we were able to print magazines for 2 years!!!

My third venture Cogzidel Technologies!!!

  • Started at a time I was broke mentally and monetarily!!!
  • Was running through multiple legal battles!!!
  • Wanted to take a spiritual break but couldn’t!!!

Still running the Show!!! Not reached the heights I anticipated!!! But able to run so far and I’m ready to take a great leap!!

My third venture Cogzidel Consultancy Services!!!

  • Started at a time I was broke mentally and monetarily!!!
  • Was running through multiple legal challenges!!!
  • Wanted to take a spiritual break but couldn’t!!!
  • No idea on what to do & how to do with this venture!!
  • Just started with my pain points but was lacking the operation knowledge!!!
  • My partner Bala was lacking the business knowledge and he was not ready too!!!

Today this company is our identity in India!!! Almost every Startups in Chennai should be aware of CCS!!! In less than a year we got the business & operational knowledge and we are working on great things!!!

My fourth venture Movie Production!!!

  • Didn’t know anything about the industry!!!
  • Didn’t have any capital when we started!!!

The movie flopped miserably!!! But I wouldn’t consider it a loss as it was a crowd funded movie and the loss can be substantiated for the experience of being  associated with the industry!!! 

Also can’t call it a failure yet as I’m on a sabbatical and planning to venture back!! This time not as a producer but as a distributor!!!

But in every case I was not ready with Capital or Experience or Knowledge or Team or any other aspects… But as I perceived everything fell in line and things happened!!!

So, I’d tell anyone running behind SUCCESS to blindly believe in the quote!!

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS TO START BEFORE YOU’RE READY!!!

Secret for Success


A young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, ‘What did you want the most when you were there?” The boy replied, “Air.” Socrates said, “That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it.” There is no other secret.

A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment.

Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results…

A half-baked day


I must be angry on myself as today has been an half baked day :(;

  • Woke up late and was late by an hour for Bala’s meeting.
  • Had to cancel an important meeting with Bala half way as i had a sudden appointment from a candidate whom i’ve planned to hire for Sales position.
  • When I selling CCS and vision to the candidate she got a call from her boss who asked her to report immediately to office  and she had to leave half way.
  • Being frustrated I drove back to office only to notice office was closed and I didn’t have the keys. Overall making it an unnecessary drive.
  • Then wanted to chill and went to pick my friend Kaviraj. Inspite of calling him 10 min before & intimating him that i’ll be in office. Got a call from him that he needs 10 min to come and i had to wait for 20 more him.
  • While waiting on the corner of the road a lady cop knocked the door asking me to leave. Making me more angry as we are loosing the freedom to even wait on the corner of the road.
  • Then went to PVR cinemas with Kavi only to find all good movies are full.
  • Then thought of discussing the strategy for Social Media School with Kavi & again we were unable to concentrate on it because of many distractions.
  • Got a call from my PM that a task I gave them was completed. After reaching home just check the task it was not working properly.

Now as a pessimist I can think this is not my day and sleep. As an optimist I can think it was a 50% successful day & one more day i can finish the balance 50% work and enjoy 100% success.

Since my blood group is B+ve I choose the second option of thinking like an optimist and end the day.