--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we build on our strengths and daily…" description: "\"When we build on our strengths and daily successes — instead of focusing on failures — we simply learn more.\" — Tom Rath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png" --- # When we build on our strengths and daily successes… ![“When we build on our strengths and daily successes — instead of focusing on failures — we simply learn more.” quote by Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png) > “When we build on our strengths and daily successes — instead of focusing on failures — we simply learn more.” [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on strengths and successes promotes deeper learning than dwelling on failures. **In simple terms:** Learning grows when we build on strengths. Key Takeaway Leverage strengths, celebrate successes. Themes growth learning strengths positivity Mood optimistic encouraging Type motivational practical When to use this quote - education - career development - personal coaching Key Concepts psychology self-improvement Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance strengths with learning from mistakes? - What successes can you build on today? A Different Perspective Success focus may ignore critical lessons from failures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Strengths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strengths/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [Figure out what you really love doing and use your strengths on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/figure-out-what-you-really-love-doing-and-use-your-strengths-on-a/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“The road of life is paved with daily successes, a great number of them penny and nickle triumphs. Sadly, these little feats are often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/the-road-of-life-is-paved-with-daily-successes-a-great-number-of-them/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [You cannot build performance on weaknesses. You can build only on strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/you-cannot-build-performance-on-weaknesses-you-can-build-only-on/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [I'll work on my weaknesses and build on my strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-stroll/i-ll-work-on-my-weaknesses-and-build-on-my-strengths/) [Lance Stroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-stroll/) > [You learn from things that don't go well, and you try to capitalize when they do. You build on those strengths and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/you-learn-from-things-that-don-t-go-well-and-you-try-to-capitalize/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [You can run a business any way you like, but you'll run it better if you build it around your strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-bannatyne/you-can-run-a-business-any-way-you-like-but-you-ll-run-it-better-if/) [Duncan Bannatyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-bannatyne/) > [We have to continue to build on our strengths and remain successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-nanterme/we-have-to-continue-to-build-on-our-strengths-and-remain-successful/) [Pierre Nanterme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-nanterme/) > [Every training session, I work hard to improve my weaknesses and build on my strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-griezmann/every-training-session-i-work-hard-to-improve-my-weaknesses-and-build/) [Antoine Griezmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-griezmann/) > [“To cultivate bravery and courage, build upon your strengths and talents. What are you good at? What makes you feel confident and personally powerful?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/to-cultivate-bravery-and-courage-build-upon-your-strengths-and/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Erase self-doubt by working to build your strengths instead of focusing on your weaknesses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodolfo-costa/erase-self-doubt-by-working-to-build-your-strengths-instead-of/) [Rodolfo Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodolfo-costa/) > [Everyone, regardless of ability or disability, has strengths and weaknesses. Know what yours are. Build on your strengths and find a way around your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-cohen/everyone-regardless-of-ability-or-disability-has-strengths-and/) Brad Cohen > [“As the wit W. C. Fields advised: 'If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There is no point making a fool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-o-clifton/as-the-wit-w-c-fields-advised-if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-again/) [Donald O. Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-o-clifton/) > [You take a weakness and start making it stronger.. You don't have to build your strengths - that you already possess... It is your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/you-take-a-weakness-and-start-making-it-stronger-you-don-t-have-to/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The essence of synergy is to value differences-to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-essence-of-synergy-is-to-value-differences-to-respect-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Build upon strengths, and weaknesses will gradually take care of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/build-upon-strengths-and-weaknesses-will-gradually-take-care-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Tom Rath > [Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/every-day-i-read-about-new-ideas-and-research-that-could-help-someone/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-ve-seen-people-be-effective-even-among-local-teams-by-offering/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [If you want people to understand that you value their contributions and that they are important, the recognition and praise you provide must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/if-you-want-people-to-understand-that-you-value-their-contributions/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/on-average-spending-time-with-your-boss-is-consistently-rated-as-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Once your brain initially processes something, you are less likely to retain the information if you are not physically active in the period following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/once-your-brain-initially-processes-something-you-are-less-likely-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I would absolutely recommend against excessive positivity and optimism. Any positive emotion that you're infusing into a workplace needs to be grounded in reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-would-absolutely-recommend-against-excessive-positivity-and/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-vast-knowledge-we-have-to-prevent-cancer-heart-disease-and-other/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Positive defaults protect you from yourself - and that helps you to make decisions in the moment that are better for your long-term interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/positive-defaults-protect-you-from-yourself-and-that-helps-you-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/making-better-choices-takes-work-there-is-a-daily-give-and-take-but/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Having fewer unhealthy days and, in turn, more days when you have the energy to get things done is probably the global constant through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/having-fewer-unhealthy-days-and-in-turn-more-days-when-you-have-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-if-people-just-change-two-or-three-things-that-they-are-able-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [People with high levels of wellbeing have been careful to work out early in the morning and not to have heavy meals throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/people-with-high-levels-of-wellbeing-have-been-careful-to-work-out/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The absence of high-quality friendships is bad for your health, spirits, productivity, and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-absence-of-high-quality-friendships-is-bad-for-your-health/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm a researcher, so I'm realistic that there's nothing I'm doing that's going to prevent me from getting cancer in the future. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-m-a-researcher-so-i-m-realistic-that-there-s-nothing-i-m-doing-that/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) [Explore all 129 Tom Rath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## More Failure quotes > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“Rhiannon's Law #28: If you're going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rhiannon-s-law-28-if-you-re-going-to-fuck-up-be-sure-to-fuck-up-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [First action was a mistake. What about the second? third? fourth and fifth?...Mehn you are bad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-action-was-a-mistake-what-about-the-second-third-fourth-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [“Our failure to understand another being's inner reality doesn't make that reality any less real, or any less valuable to that being. (p.255)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-schulz/our-failure-to-understand-another-being-s-inner-reality-doesn-t-make/) [Kathryn Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-schulz/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/) [Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 27,498 Failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When we build on our strengths and daily successes — instead of focusing on failures — we simply learn more.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Rath" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily-successes-instead-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Failure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily-successes-instead-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/tom-rath-3501_failure_when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily_2163650.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we build on our strengths and daily successes — instead of focusing on failures — we simply learn more.” — Tom Rath", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tom Rath", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When we build on our strengths...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily-successes-instead-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-build-on-our-strengths-and-daily-successes-instead-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```