Denzel Washington: Fail but Fall Forward

myFOX Job Shop Staff - Two-time Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington recently gave the commencement speech to the graduating class of 2011 at the University of Pennsylvania.

The essence of his message: Don't be afraid to fail.

Washington points out rather eloquently how a person like Yankee Great Reggie Jackson is better known for his prolific home runs and not the the fact the he struck out more times than any other player in Major League Baseball history.  He speaks to the dedication of Thomas Edison and how his invention of the light bulb came after 1,000 failed attempts, only lighting properly on attempt #1001.

Hear how Washington guarantees that you "will suck at something", "that you will fail", but he says it is what do you afterward that matters.

We embedded the commencement speech into this story because it fits the mission of the Job Shop: To Take Risks. To Make Something Happen.  To Learn from Your Mistakes. 

Watch the video and see if you agree with Washington's philosophy: Fall Forward.  We hope it inspires you to create a fulfilling career.