"If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward."

The heart of this quote is the idea that every failure isn't really a failure at all. Instead, it's a step toward success. Each time we try something and it doesn't work, we're actually learning. We're figuring out what not to do next time. It's about perseverance and the positive spin on what most people see as setbacks.

Now, let’s dive into a bit of history. This quote is often attributed to Thomas Edison. You know, the guy who brought us the light bulb. He didn't come up with it on his first try—or even his thousandth. In fact, it's said that he made around 10,000 attempts before he got it right. Imagine that! Most of us would probably throw in the towel after a few dozen tries, but not Edison. He saw each failure as valuable information, something that brought him closer to his goal.

Let’s bring this idea into the present with a real-life example. Think about J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before she found success, she faced a ton of rejections. She was a single mother living on welfare, and her manuscript was turned down by 12 different publishers. That’s a lot of closed doors. But she didn’t give up. Each rejection was just one more step in her journey, one more way she learned and improved her work.

So, how do we take this wisdom and sprinkle it into our own lives? First, we’ve got to change our mindset about failure. It’s not the end of the road; it's just a part of the process. When something doesn’t work out, pause and think about what you can learn from it. Maybe you need to tweak your approach, gather more information, or simply try again with fresh energy. The key is to keep moving forward, understanding that every 'no' gets you closer to a 'yes'.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Imagine you’re trying to bake the perfect chocolate cake. You’ve got a recipe, but the first time you make it, it’s too dry. The next time, it’s too gooey. Maybe the third time it collapses in the middle. It’s frustrating, right? But each time, you learn something new. You adjust your oven temperature, tweak the ingredient amounts, and eventually, you nail it. That’s exactly what Edison and Rowling experienced—just on a much bigger scale.

Think about it next time you face a challenge or setback. Remember that each unsuccessful attempt is actually progress. It's getting you closer to where you want to be. So, don’t get discouraged. Embrace each failure. Learn from it. Keep going. After all, every step—no matter how small—counts.