It’s Fashionable to Be Fired!

If this woman says it’s fashionable—and educational—to be fired, then it is. After being at the pinnacle of the once male-dominated publishing world for a quarter century, Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, should know!

In his book, Winners and How They Succeed, due out later this year, Alastair Campbell, former advisor and spokesperson for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, asked people at the top of their professions, who have achieved their ambitions, how others can develop “winning mindsets” themselves.

In Campbell’s chapter about Wintour, reports the Yahoo! Celebrity News, she admits to being fired as a junior editor at Harper’s Bazaar after less than a year on the job. But she feels the firing helped her on her way to the top. “Everyone should get sacked at least once. It forces you to look at yourself.… It is important to have setbacks, because that is the reality of life. Perfection doesn’t exist.”

And the U.K.’s Independent reports she told a fashion conference in New York City that “I recommend that you all get fired. It’s a great learning experience.”

Seems the firing did not set her back too much, as she went on to work at House & Garden, New York magazine, and British Vogue.

And Wintour gives this advice to those with ambitions: “Even if you aren’t sure of yourself, pretend that you are.” She also suggests that those aspiring to success ask for more responsibilities and develop the instinct to make responses and decisions fast, according to the article.