563. How to Succeed at Failing, Part 3: Grit vs. Quit

171 snips

Oct 26, 2023

Guest

Jill Hoffman

Guest

Travis Thul

Travis Thul, Director of Operations at the University of Minnesota, and Jill Hoffman, Founder and CEO of Path 2 Flight, discuss the thin line between grit and quitting. They share personal stories about glitches in entrepreneurial ventures, including a Kickstarter campaign for a unique ramen-making machine. The conversation emphasizes the emotional hurdles of failure, the stigma around it, and how acknowledging these challenges can actually foster success. Together, they advocate for a redefined perspective on persistence and the importance of knowing when to let go.

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ANECDOTE

Ramen Now Development

Thul and his friend built prototypes and secured patents for Ramen Now.
Appliance brands loved the idea but required substantial upfront investment, which Thul lacked.

ANECDOTE

Path 2 Flight

Jill Hoffman, from a family of aviation pioneers, developed Path 2 Flight.
It was meant to be an app to simplify flight school booking but failed due to technical glitches and industry resistance.

ANECDOTE

Reinventing the Paint Can

John Boykin, a website designer, attempted to reinvent the paint can.
After five years and significant expenses, he abandoned the project due to persistent leaks.

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Giving up can be painful. That's why we need to talk about it. Today: stories about glitchy apps, leaky paint cans, broken sculptures — and a quest for the perfect bowl of ramen.

RESOURCES

"Data Snapshot: Tenure and Contingency in US Higher Education," by Glenn Colby (American Association of University Professors, 2023).
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth (2016).
"Entrepreneurship and the U.S. Economy," by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016).
"A CV of Failures," by Melanie Stefan (Nature, 2010).

EXTRAS

“How to Succeed at Failing,” series by Freakonomics Radio (2023).
"Annie Duke Thinks You Should Quit," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).
"How Do You Know When It’s Time to Quit?" by No Stupid Questions (2020).
“Honey, I Grew the Economy,” by Freakonomics Radio (2019).
“The Upside of Quitting," by Freakonomics Radio (2011).
"The Ramen Now - Rapid Desktop Cooking for Delicious Meals," Kickstarter campaign by Travis Thul.

SOURCES:

John Boykin, website designer and failed paint can re-inventor.
Angela Duckworth, host of No Stupid Questions, co-founder of Character Lab, and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Amy Edmondson, professor of leadership management at Harvard Business School.
Helen Fisher, senior research fellow at The Kinsey Institute and chief science advisor to Match.com.
Eric von Hippel, professor of technological innovation at M.I.T.’s Sloan School of Management.
Jill Hoffman, founder and C.E.O. of Path 2 Flight.
Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field of naturalistic decision making.
Steve Levitt, host of People I (Mostly) Admire, co-author of the Freakonomics books, and professor of economics at the University of Chicago.
Joseph O’Connell, artist.
Mike Ridgeman, advocacy manager at Trek Bicycles and former professor.
Melanie Stefan, professor of physiology at Medical School Berlin.
Travis Thul, director of operations and senior fellow at the University of Minnesota Technological Leadership Institute.

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