The Power of the Almost

Key points

Not all who fall short fail; many reshape the world in doing so.

Near-misses often signal future change and spark vital new directions.

Greatness isn't always about being first. It's often about going first.

We live in a culture hooked on winning. Gold medals, bestseller lists, championships, and Nobel Prizes are the markers of glory. The spotlight shines brightest on the people who crossed the finish line first, while those who came close slip into the shadows.

But what about the “almosts”? The runner who lost by a fraction of a second. The inventor who had the right idea at the wrong time. The poet whose words only mattered long after they were gone. These people rarely make the highlight reel, yet their efforts often bend the world in directions we don’t notice until muc