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

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.

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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)

[andyan]

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

[chevaliergryphon]

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.

[aeronuy]

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)

[xiao]

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

[nicholashoule]

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

[mikamiravalles]

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.💔

[theoptimist]

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

[yolidejesus]

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. 💚

[atjgraphics]

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

[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

[jakubvalenta]

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

[rolandojr.antonio]

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

[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.

[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! :)

[raulsanjayshah]

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

[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.

[vimaldeonarine]

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

[PavithraR]

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

[nonchalantd]

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