What Indiana Jones Teaches Us About Failure May Surprise You

When we look back at the best action-adventure movies of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark is often near the top.

But how is this possible?

The hero, Indiana Jones, fails to stop the Nazis from finding the Ark of the Covenant. In fact, his actions actually help them retrieve it.

And when he confronts them to prevent them from opening it, he completely fails… and has to stand by, tied up, while Hitler’s men reveal the wonders of the Ark.

So, in light of such an utter failure… why does this movie have a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes?

Why did it win 5 Oscar awards?

Why is its impact on pop culture and moviemaking still felt 37 years later?

Because it wasn’t the goal that mattered… it was the journey.

The chases, battles, and escapes are where the value really lied.

And the same is true in the business world.

If we try hard enough, we will fail in achieving our career goals.

We will do things that prevent us from succeeding.

And we will see defeat get snatched from the jaws of victory.

But if we value the journey as much as the goal, we will feel joy no matter the outcome.

And when that happens, our struggle becomes like an adventure movie that we want to watch over and over again.