Why you have to fail to have a great career: Michael Litt at TEDxUW

tedxuw.com/spea...
Some people start their careers slowly, while others start with a bang. Michael Litt's case is definitely the latter: the serial entrepreneur's first venture comprising the import and re-sale of firecrackers to his fifth-grade classmates. But if the story were to be told from beginning to end, Litt would be the first to admit that his path has actually involved a number of "bangs" -- including some which didn't quite work out in his favour -- a fair number of nervous moments, and lot of plain, old-fashioned hard work.
Early in his university career, Michael looked to be heading down a path familiar to many Waterloo engineers, securing co-op placements at Research in Motion - but it's what he accomplished after his first couple of years that made him stand out as a talented entrepreneur. After a spell as a day trader, an aborted attempt at running a biodiesel refinery (during which he once used a bathroom hand dryer to un-freeze a jar of biodiesel minutes before a sales pitch), and an anonymous stint publishing a highlytrafficked blog which featured teardowns of new phones, Litt was focused on building revenue and he knew he wanted to start a business.
Fortunately, one of Litt's trades had put a little money in his pocket, and, with a little help from the subprime mortgage market, he was able to purchase a house and fill it with other budding entrepreneurs. This environment, now known as Batavia House, fostered the drive and motivation he needed to take the next step, and it wasn't long before he founded his current company, Vidyard, an organization helping businesses and individuals easily and effectively host videos on their websites.
A Waterloo native, Michael believes in the region's ability to attract and retain talent, and believes the local tech industry will only continue to grow. As it grows, Litt will continue to be an interested observer, albeit one with the experience to back up his words. "It's really interesting to see how things are developing," he says, "especially since my failures have defined my career and current position." It's an outlook that's bound to be part of any discussion about the future -- a discussion that Litt hopes to be a part of at TEDxUW.
--
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@andy4an]

The best TED talks break your mind, then put it back together. Well done.

[@chevaliergryphon1308]

Michael, is a part of life. We do fail, the real question is whether we let others define us as a failure or if we use failure as a launch-pad.

[@xiao6322]

I cry so hard and something inside me resonates with his talk

[@JjBianca]

xiao Lin Me too. I think that I needed this video right now in my life

[@mikamiravalles6262]

I came here today because I found out I fail in Gen. Chem and had 75 as my my final grade. I want to cry so hard but I just hide it by keeping a smiling face. You know that feeling when you want to cry but you dont want others to see how vulnerable you are.💔

[@aeronuy4295]

I searched for this because I wasn't sure why I was failing at all my subjects in my university even though I was trying so hard. Not only my subjects also anything I try to achieve. I know now to never give up even after all of the failures even if I fail a 100 times. But it hurts hearing everyone talk about how much of a failure I know I am. And I am disappointed because I cannot give my parents the great academic student they want. (I never did well in all my classes)

[@melodypastor5426]

Me too, all of my subjects last semester failed and now i don't knoe how to say it to my parents.

[@jithinpmathew5209]

Dont be sad.... Before U quit ,always remember the words of Michele Jordan( worlds best basketball player) "I failed over and over and over....thats why i succeed" Always remember one thing... Past is not equal to future...

[@ishikasunil2223]

Exactly my story.... 2018 has been the worst year for me academically. I am disappointed with myself

[@alexrosca860]

Can I ask you how are you doing now?

[@joshuaaustin2541]

making your parents proud is one thing but remember, you are doing it for YOUR future

[@nicholashoule3378]

its called rock bottom, every bodies is different, but once you hit it you find your drive.

[@saimanaaz9949]

Absolutely true!

[@Diamond4rmAfrica]

Really? Cause I'm in what I consider rock bottom. I've failed two core modules in my second year in University.

[@kalyani1379]

Why is it true

[@theoptimist8297]

By far one of the best TEDx talks out there. The kinda talk that you can relate to. What he means is when u fail everyone rubs it in as if it's the end of the world where as its not. Don't listen to them and trust ur guts coz sometimes when u think that this is the worst thing ever it actually is an opportunity to strive for better.

[@Luffytoro]

I failed to submit my project in MBA so I have to wait for 1 year to get it done!! Felt low and searching for motivations! This video made me feel better!! Thanks man

[@ananyasahoo2615]

Are you doing good now

[@TheyDontKnowImHere]

How are you now?

[@atjgraphics]

I really loved your story. Don't give up but remember failing is part of life.

[@yolidejesus3488]

Really liked this video. Aside from the importance of failing, I also can see how things happen for a reason. If he didn't had that experience probably he would have never given this Ted Talk and help a lot of people. 💚

[@SoBlurrific]

I get the point: You will only succeed if you're willing to fail Even so, that doesn't mean that after you fail that you are going to succeed. He's just an example of a person who did defeat adversity

[@zakerdoodle]

Excellent distinction. I also no people who have done well their whole careers, never failing, only moving up. I see you wrote this 10 years ago... I hope you're doing well!

[@AJ-ls7tn]

But are they totally honest about their wins that everyone is able, and their private failures which they know for themselves really happened, but no one will ever be able to see

[@rolandojr.antonio6855]

As they, Experience is the greatest teacher in one’s life. Life is a gamble, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Failure is a great lesson that we can learned. We learned more and we will work more smarter to succeed

[@jakubvalenta5403]

Be somebody or be somebody's fool... hmm, great saying.

[@Enovol]

Thanks man! Im 18 year's old and this helps me a lot since I'm trying to decide what to do with life.

[@DemiloyeYT]

Larry smith is his mentor. I was an organizer at this event. Larry smith was present and and aware of the talk long before it happened.

[@raulsanjayshah]

i just got rejected from a job..this video makes me want to apply to 100s of jobs rn

[@mistargrr]

I hope you managed to learn from your failure. All the best!

[@DesignYourReality]

I suggest if you want to know your place in life check out : Finding Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle

[@taharyasmine5944]

I just saw ur comment, now I'm sure I'm gonna watch this video

[@playlistjust]

Michael, ignore the mean comments down below. they simple failed to understand what you were talking about Thanks a bunch!! you just gave me courage to get up & keep going! :)

[@kurilpratik]

Absolutely correct.

[@vimaldeonarine5614]

Im failing at 28. No career path, no job and everyone else is moving up

[@taslishchadha9766]

thank you just needed this

[@shaunboyce727]

The line on the side is the longest.

[@nonchalantd]

That was good, but I was hoping he would talk about what happened after he failed and why he is better off now.

[@SetTheCurve]

This talk went nowhere. He never said what failure taught him, how it helps, or how a person can build on it. Also, those friends of his who continued along the traditional path probably did well.

[@ErikLarios_Poker]

go to the larry smith talk and you will understand everything

[@Squeekers]

His question is open ended; "which line is longer?" It's not the top or bottom lines that are the longest; the longest lines that I see in the diagram are the lines on the left and right side.

[@PavithraR]

Good one but could have been said better! I loved Larry Smiths's TED talk though - It was meaningful, insightful yet super cool!

[@playlistjust]

gonna give it a try now :)

[@emaxix7]

I love how the guy with the bike still has his hands on handle bar

[@mzenji]

It's called commitment! lol.

[@billyjaneramos]

hmmm... a talk on failure supported by the university of waterloo... :) fun, informative and enlightening!

[@krystenp2800]

Thank you!

[@navshri]

Beautiful !

[@vanhalenps4]

You can add chemicals to biodiesel or add a heating element to the tank to keep it from freezing. Why he didn't do that I have no idea but overall biodiesel is a great alternative to regular diesel fuel.

[@joshua_dlima]

Great talk, thank you!

[@Mindsaw]

To get to the good in your career you do have to face some failure at times

[@ambikaaamonkar1496]

that was Litt !! ☺️

[@charlescxgo7629]

Taking risks and privilege of failing is a trade off with responsibilities (school, spouse, kids etc..). However, most of those responsibilities were based on your past choices. Likewise think everything over, it really depends on what you’re looking for in life....

[@badpanda84]

A great carrer is one where if you fail you get a multimillion dollar redunancy payment.. Also known as Golden Handshake en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_handshake A golden handshake is a clause in an executive employment contract that provides the executive with a significant severance package in the case that the executive loses his or her job through firing, restructuring, or even scheduled retirement So yes sometimes failing is profitable

[@michaellitt2455]

Actually Jane Larson - I do care. What about my talk failed to be meaningful to you?

[@GoldenBearBecca]

I think you're hot. Let's have smart babies.

[@garethjones2746]

Well said

[@hakanyldrm4592]

well done

[@giorgigudiashvili4876]

Sometimes I think all ted talks can be summarized in two centences.

[@mzenji]

"sentences"

[@effiab5995]

Don’t give up. Be original.

[@kenleeanderson]

Great talk on Fun.

[@benjaminarrowsmith1752]

I was asking a genuine question, I know what success is, I am wondering where his success is/was. Success is achieving what you aim for whatever it is

[@nitinoctane]

I actually cant relate to the last picture @10:17. What about that ?

[@scancool]

he is the founder and CEO of Vidyard they do software and marketing, they been in business for 2 years, I guess he is doing ok,

[@idealsAREisomorphic]

Does the buff stack up?..

[@Pookie1-q2w]

I was selected for the final from a piano competition. The competition was very tough and I didnt receive a prize and I feel a bit sad. 😢

[@hydroshock1853]

*pat on the back* I know this is late, and I know that I wasn't there to see you, but I don't doubt you did well. This is coming from someone who also finds it hard to deal with failure and loss. I hope playing the piano is still your passion.

[@normalguycap]

All these young people talking about Failure. You don't see an older person talking about failure on their way to success. Because they know better and keep it to themselves so they can enjoy their success for longer.

[@monylolo1]

go forward

[@monylolo1]

very well

[@benjaminarrowsmith1752]

thnx

[@andjelatatarovic8309]

awesome talk, thank you ! :)

[@gorakshbohra7293]

2018 was my failure year I failed every exam.

[@jumperstartful]

But you successfully failed every exam.

[@ankitg3956]

Can somebody explain, how that top line was longest ?

[@RyanMoment360]

i think he explained that he changed the line length

[@ankitg3956]

Ryan Moment no that is not the case !

[@RyanMoment360]

Ankit Supercool ohh i think you mean when he ask at the second time...will the answer then is "illusion" buddy.

[@ankitg3956]

but how come top line is longest ? I want explained answer :)

[@JillYva]

Ankit Supercool From what i think,The original would've had the same lengths but he himself changed the length for the presentation. The picture was never changed since he first showed it, it was originally that the top line was longer and the bottom line was shorter. People thought it was shorter cause he tricked them into thinking one of them was longer and the fact that he mentioned it was an optical illusion also he mentioned first everyone should be familiar with illusions like this so giving them the impression (from experience of seeing other optical illusions) that it should be the same...I THINK...Sorry if I didnt explain clearly :/ :)

[@benjaminarrowsmith1752]

who is Micheal Litt? I heard his story of failure but where was his success?

[@mattwoolley]

So.... The answer to the question "Why you have to fail to have a great career?" is.....? He failed to answer his question. Never explained the WHY......

[@Kl6622]

My first time failing in 2018 i think i will carry on failing in 2019

[@Style95l]

that was amazing

[@nitinoctane]

be somebody or be somebody's fool, what that means actually? i am a bit confused. LOL i failed..

[@ZoliJee]

good

[@townhouse21]

ok, this sounds great, but an article in communitech.ca/vidyard-michael-litt/ , he gets the deal after showing an unfrozen bottle of biodiesel! which one is the truth? Here's the direct quote "I got up to the floor, went to the bathroom, got it under the hand dryer, melted it and did the presentation. We ended up pre-selling a few million litres of biodiesel. ."

[@captainjacksparrow5398]

Great

[@HappierLion]

You will fail to have a great career unless you fail to have a great career!

[@nothankyou8165]

Just watching this after I failed ap bio

[@benjaminarrowsmith1752]

our bodies fail in the end

[@soufrk]

This probably cleared Larry Smith's talk much. I couldn't grasp much from Larry Smith's speech.

[@alexperkoplavec]

how good is video : 4-5

[@suggesttwo]

Top longer... I ignored verdical lines.

[@Charlie12241]

Then some people should be doing much better at work.

[@user-kx6gr6ky4b]

That was awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!😍😚

[@ViruGurudath]

I got rejected from Stanford today, anyone got any advice?

[@Phoenix01914]

Trust yourself and try again 💪

[@andresmu9375]

I know it’s been 2 years already, but how has it been? Did you try again?

[@mea723]

You just got Litt up :)

[@mzenji]

LMAO !!! You my friend are a kindred spirit.... and now I'm going to pour a lil liqour for the great Louis Litt!

[@hakanyldrm4592]

nice

[@Cody6918]

Failed to have a glass of water up on stage.

[@JamesStrieb2]

his story ended with failing, not with having a great career. wth!

[@ritapufff1564]

WoW.SupperR

[@abufawwaz7187]

i like it

[@scooby196I]

my career has been failing for over 25 yrs.

[@nathanielpillar8012]

90 people failed to have a great career after watching this video.

[@bananian]

just a tangent.

[@grzegorzdyraa5174]

nice fun

[@monylolo1]

take the advice

[@youngyink]

dig ....

[@hristodraganov1376]

interesting

[@marchewkaziemniak5062]

wow

[@JEFFMcGuire]

UPDATE: 2.8 billion results for FAIL

[@rojer9]

i know it's only tangentially relevant to the talk itself, but... this guy went around promoting a product that *would*not*work* in that climate, of which, if he didn't know before, he had a perfect demonstration right there, in his car... and still he tried to cover it up? so, what if that jar melted and the demo was successful? it'd probably fail further tests. but anyway, it seems disingenuous. so, he failed, he rebounded and learned from it - good. the quote is nice too. but he's not honest.

[@delatroy]

So long story short.. he's saying that failing is a prerequisite to success because.. it just is.

[@eatcarpet]

THE BOTTOM ONE IS LONGER.

[@TheBarbacan]

hmmm

[@adelelbanna59]

WOWWWWW

[@CzechRiot]

I failed to see a point in this speech.

[@MarcusEMunya]

CzechRiot As i understand it Because having a great career means failing to risk it all on your own idea. The risk of shouting out the wrong answer is analogous to the risk of betting it all on yourself in business or unlikely career.

[@mustardalilseed6448]

This didnt really resonate with me? All i got was him rubbing the jars between his legs

[@nagendrarao3147]

👍👍👍

[@jakwire]

and.... you are missing the point.

[@alexperkoplavec]

what is this

[@NareSahajaSai2512]

i thought this correct

[@verifymyageful]

Mr. T

[@idklol3535]

всем привет кто пишет листнениг))))

[@KoishymanYersin]

Из какого ты класса ? Аааа

[@idklol3535]

@@KoishymanYersin 9м

[@KoishymanYersin]

@@idklol3535 как тебя зовут? (:

[@idklol3535]

@@KoishymanYersin маля)) тебя?

[@KoishymanYersin]

@@idklol3535 аааа

[@MyGio0]

li

[@Lemon171]

GANGAM STYLE

[@LVCE.]

This is an ancient comment right here

[@koko-thegirlfrommars3793]

wowwwwwwwww

[@zebunker]

Excited to watch a TED talk.....sees that its Ted X....watches cat videos instead.