What Readers are Saying

Alexander Loh Fail On Purpose compels us to confront the deepest questions about ourselves, our egos, and our identities. This book made me confront my fear of failure—the fear of “who am I if I fail?” It reminded me that I constantly tell myself that my worth depends on outcomes. And it reminded me of my constant desire for control, certainty, and predictability in all outcomes.

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But Uantchern writes that “life was never a train. Life is a forest—messy, unpredictable, nonlinear, alive. To live, you must step off the tracks.”

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I don’t think I’ll ever reach my father’s level of adventurous spirit, boldness, and creativity, but this book serves as another invitation from him to me to summon the courage to “step off the tracks.”

Thanks Pa for your encouragement.  For your belief in me. For your wisdom. For teaching me how to think deeply and differently. For daring me to dream. For reminding me that there is no reason to fear failure.

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I felt my father was speaking directly to me when he wrote: “You’ve been performing for so long that you don’t remember what it feels like to act without thinking about how it will look, what it will lead to, or whether you’ll succeed.” The latter is what freedom looks like. And my father assures us that—if we want—all of us can live in that freedom. All we have to do is focus our hearts and minds on something outside of ourselves, and look above to something beyond ourselves.

 

To my friend, my mentor, and my father—congratulations on publishing yet another meaningful book. Thanks Pa—for everything. Love always, Alex.

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Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

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Maurice A Phillips "To describe your book as thought-provoking is to understate its excellent quality.  In truth it is mind-bending.  Living in a materialistic society that glorifies the Cult of Achievement through the approved process conflicts with the fundamental concept your book postulates.  Therefore to accept and adopt its clearly stated philosophy which your book explicitly sets forth calls for a paradigm change which many may not even consider. nor welcome.  Failure is anathema in our society and carries lifelong stigmatisation. Due to a mental block, many will not perceive the learning value in failing on purpose. They may read and ponder on your book's content seeking its deeper meaning yet may remain unconvinced that this is the pathway they or their progeny should take. 
 

A catalytic moment that provides a trigger for change should help move this concept forward, take the social service sector. An in-depth study of a task with 0% chance of success could provide the proof of concept. I came up with one such task: "To fundraise for SSC." (a Singapore charity).  The study's methodology, processes and its outcome to be shared at a townhall or seminar with charities in attendance. SSC can thereafter provide guidance and support to charities willing to join the movement.  As the saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." SSC and other likeminded charities could be the leaders in pioneering the "Fail on Purpose" movement.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. More importantly, in allowing me to share my thoughts with you. Thank you for taking my thought process out of its usual comfort zone."

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Chew Sutat  "... the 0% Chance Mindset and liberation it offers- to unshackle ourselves from the need to always succeed, built from failure-readiness muscles - resilience, detachment, creativity, and freedom from outcome - enabled the ultimate success."

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David Christopherson  "This book speaks directly to that spirit. It invites you—and all of us—to step outside the “world of maybe,” where success is a constant test, into a space where failure can be playful, deliberate, and ultimately freeing. May these pages be both a mirror and a catalyst to us all as you continue to champion courage, curiosity and humanity in every room of life that you may enter."

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Michelle Lim "If you want to live life embracing uncertainties - if you want to create, disrupt, and truly make a difference - you must be willing to roll a 13. Read this, and let’s start failing joyfully."

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Sarah Ann Loh "This book feels like someone laying a hand on your shoulder and saying, “Try a different way of being. It might feel strange, but it might also set you free.”

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Ang Swee Leong  "Uantchern’s apt message that purpose or outcomes, including negative ones, still matter. In a society pre-occupied with digitalisation, instant gratification and fleeting results, this book is a timely reminder that our journeys should keep the destination in mind, and to walk the path with clarity and confidence."

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Daniele de Blasio  "This book brings those rules into the light and reveals how they shrink our world, turning curiosity into calculation and everyday living into a permanent audition."

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S. Venkita Padmanabhan "What Uantchern has created here is not a motivational book. It is a reset."