It Is Possible to Commit No Mistakes and Still Lose

It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life.

Jean-Luc Picard, Season Two, Episode 21, ‘Peak Generation’.

Young me would hear or read this quote and get bummed out because young me would immediately think about the futility of trying anything. Why try if I can fail, right? I’m trying to not be that person. Instead, maybe I should think about how to manage my expectations and have hope. Not trying is pretty much the same as always failing. And trying and failing is progress. And progress is healthy.

About the author

Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, most often seen as the captain of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D). Played by Patrick Stewart, Picard has appeared in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) and one episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as the feature films Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

While the episode writer(s) should probably be attributed this quote, it’s fitting to leave it in the name of the character.