Cut the crap. Sharing our struggles is more valuable than sharing success

Life is with downs and with occasional ups. That's not pessimism, that’s reality. 

Let's talk Edison. Everyone quotes his '10,000 failures' with the light bulb. The real data from his lab notes says he tested over 1,600 materials just for the filament alone. Most of us would have quit at 50. (I would have at 5!) That's actual documented history, not some motivational BS.

Now, LinkedIn. 1+ billion members, and my feed is drowning in:

"I am honored..."

"I am thrilled..."

"I am proud..."

"Feeling blessed..."

"Boom..."

"We did it again ..."

Cut the crap.

Research from the Journal of Applied Psychology shows 77% of professionals experience major career setbacks. (It rings a bell to me)

Another study from Harvard Business Review tracked 3,200 leaders and found that on average, they faced 3.7 major failures before their breakthrough success. (I am far above 3.7)

If we are not failing, we are not pushing hard enough. And if we are only posting victories, we are either lying or playing it too safe.

Start being real. 

This isn't about being negative. It's about being honest and embracing vulnerability. 

Sharing our struggles is more valuable than sharing successes. And if this post makes you uncomfortable, good.  Ask yourself why.