When Thomas Edison was asked how it felt to have failed 700 times with his attempts at the electric light bulb, he replied: 'I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving those 700 ways will not work, when i have eliminated all the ways that will not work, i will find the way that will work.' Quite a healthy attitude that we can all learn from and a good illustration of perspective. One view would be critical of the self; the other looks at failure as a pathway to eventual success.