I’ve noticed recently that the common reaction when people hear your “bad” news (job loss, divorce, losing a promotion, etc) is one of remorse, empathy and even pity. It is naturally assumed to be a bad thing. Some even go so far as to ask, with wide, poor-you eyes, “What are you going to do?” Gee, I don’t know, take the gas pipe? Jump off a bridge?
It must be how couples feel when they announce they are getting a divorce. How difficult to face the judgment, humiliation and feelings of failure that others impart with their sad faces and deep breaths. Tragedy! How will you ever go on?
A wise old yogi or spiritual devotee, however, may ponder the news and offer encouragement. These events may be considered natural progressions on life’s journey. These seemingly negative occurrences may be seen as gifts in disguise; an opportunity to turn the unexpected situation into something positive.
A constructive concept; take a negative and re-tool it into a positive.
(At the very least it’s a more productive mindset than one of self-pity.)
This morning I saw a presentation about the famous error message that we’ve all seen on websites, when you click on a link that no longer exists – the 404 Error. It’s usually something along the lines of “We’re sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn’t exist.”
The experience of landing on a 404 Error page is disappointing. You thought you were being led to the right destination, but you hit an obstacle. It is a broken relationship, a slap in the face.
Sound familiar?
I think losing your job is like having your career hit a 404 Error. “We’re sorry, but the job you thought you had no longer exists.”
And breaking up is hitting a relationship 404.
I find the standard social reactions to these 'bumps in the road' of life lack optimism and encouragement. Hardly anyone says, upon hearing of a job loss or a divorce, “Well, this is undoubtedly an opportunity for you, a new beginning, and a time of personal renewal. Change can be uncomfortable, but the end result is always progress and that’s always positive.”
Check out this video on “404, the story of a page not found.”
In summary:
“A simple mistake can tell me what you’re not, or it can remind me why I should love you.”
It’s difficult enough to embrace change and disappointment. The next time someone gives you some “bad” news or the equivalent of a 404 error in their life, consider a more encouraging, optimistic response. Consider turning a negative into a positive.
[Author's note: This advice, too, should be the mantra of marketers everywhere.]
Here are some more examples of creative 404 error pages that make the broken link experience a bit more enjoyable.
(Photo courtesy of Can Stock Photo.)
