Fail Forward (And Have Fun Doing It!)

This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a fundamental truth that every leader and aspiring professional must embrace to achieve real success.

Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool

The road to success is rarely smooth, in fact it never is - NEVER. It's littered with missteps, setbacks, and outright failures. These experiences are essential. Why? Because failure is the most effective teacher - the ultimate level of feedback.

When we fail, we gain invaluable insights that no textbook or seminar can provide. Each failure highlights gaps in our knowledge, reveals flaws in our strategies, and pushes us to innovate and improve.

Failure is the BEST Feedback!

Consider Thomas Edison, who famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison's relentless experimentation led to the invention of the electric light bulb, a testament to the power of learning from failure.

Similarly, in business, companies like Apple and Google have experienced significant product failures (new coke!), yet these failures have often highlighted the way for their most successful innovations.

Roots of Our Fear of Failure

From a young age, many of us are conditioned (read: "we learn how to fear") to fear failure. Fast Fact! We are born with only 2 fears, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Conditioned fears can be traced back to several sources:

1. Educational Systems: Many traditional educational environments emphasize success and punish failure, creating a mindset that equates failure with inadequacy. Students learn to associate grades with their self-worth, leading to a fear of making mistakes.
2. Parental Expectations: High expectations from parents can instill a fear of disappointment and failure in children. When children are constantly praised for their successes and criticized for their failures, they may develop a fear of taking risks.
3. Societal Norms: Society often celebrates success and stigmatizes failure, leading to a collective fear of failing. Media and social networks frequently highlight success stories while ignoring the struggles and failures that precede them.
4. Personal Ego: Our self-worth is often tied to external validation. When we fail, it can feel like a personal attack on our value and capabilities. This ego-driven fear can prevent us from taking necessary risks.

Facing the Fear of Failure

Understanding the sources of our fear is the first step in understanding it. But how do we actually face and conquer this fear?

1. Shift Your Perspective: Start viewing failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Each failure brings you one step closer to success. Reflect on your past failures and identify the lessons learned from each experience.
2. Develop Self-Awareness: Recognize that the fear of failure is often driven by ego. Our ego seeks to protect us by avoiding risks, but this also keeps us from achieving greatness. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that can happen?" and "How will I recover?"
3. Build Confidence from Within: True confidence comes from knowing your strengths and accepting your weaknesses. When you have a strong sense of self, external failures do not define your worth. Engage in self-reflection and personal development activities to strengthen your self-awareness.
4. Embrace Vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Acknowledge your fears and face them head-on. This openness can lead to greater resilience and creativity. Share your experiences and challenges with trusted colleagues and mentors.
5. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your ambitions into smaller, manageable goals. This reduces the pressure of needing to succeed all at once and allows for incremental learning through smaller failures. Celebrate small victories and learn from minor setbacks.
6. Seek Support: Surround yourself with mentors and peers who encourage a growth mindset. Their support and perspectives can help you navigate and learn from failures. Engage in networking and seek advice from those who have faced similar challenges.

Moving Forward

Ultimately, overcoming the fear of failure is about changing your mindset. Recognize that your ego's primary function is to keep you safe, often by avoiding risks. Safety and growth rarely go hand in hand. By acknowledging the role of your ego and consciously deciding to push past its limitations, you open yourself up to the future you were meant to have.

Consider the example of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She openly attributes her success to her ability to embrace failure. Blakely's father encouraged her to share her daily failures at the dinner table, teaching her to see failure as a natural and valuable part of life.

This mindset allowed her to take bold risks, leading to the creation of a billion-dollar company.

Every great leader has a trail of failures behind their success. It's not about how many times you fall; it's about how many times you get up, learn, and move forward.

Want to learn how to fail forward? Contact me!