This is a dog-chasing-the-tail kind of question isn’t it? Inability to find a solution on how to start again “Is” a failure. Hence, the opportunity to begin again.
Sometimes we run out of ideas, or at a loss of how to approach a problem. We feel like we gave it our best, so anything that comes after will be a second-string thought or idea – and how could that work?
The true failure in a situation like this is the idiom of contempt prior to investigation. Once I’ve decided there is no solution, or I can’t come up with a solution or worse of all “What’s the point anyway?” We are moving from failure to defeat.
Defeat is finite. The finale. The conclusion that we aren’t capable, or somehow inept. What Henry Ford was really trying to impress upon others is that he had accepted his failures whole-heartedly. Imagine coming up with the the concept of assembly line construction when the world had never seen such an approach! Productivity blossomed to levels his competitors were astounded at the rate he was able to produce products. They were forced to re-think their own approaches. If they couldn’t come up with a better idea, I imagine many simply mimicked Henry’s already great idea.
Each of us is capable of that. Henry was not advocating for original thought, only thought that worked more intelligently than the last one. So. If you are unable to come up with an original solution, borrow one. Consult with others you feel are capable and have regard for their approach or ideas. Do not ever be afraid to utter the phrase “I don’t know”. There’s no shame in it. In fact, why would you even have an open mind to a new approach or consider on how to improve a process if one is grounded in “I know”. So phrases like “I know” or “always” or “never” are words I have decidedly made an effort to remove from my vocabulary. They have no place in maintaining new thought, idea, dreaming, brainstorming, trying something new. Above all this self-limiting line of thought leads to “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing” That prevents us from improving or discovery.
From my family in Austin Texas here, to yours there, good luck.