Make more mistakes to improve your life...

Let's face a simple truth: we all fail.

It's a fundamental aspect of being human. Yet, despite this common knowledge, admitting to failure is often a taboo, especially among those in high corporate echelons.

Over the years, I’ve worked alongside countless individuals who would sooner have died than admit they got something wrong.

But here's the paradox: acknowledging and learning from failure is crucial for growth and success. The irony is that by not accepting failure, you risk stifling your potential for progress.

So, how you can change your perspective on the mistakes you make?

The case to embrace

If you work for a company or a leader that doesn’t encourage risk-taking or views setbacks as a sign of weakness, you’re probably working somewhere that underperforms.

Harvard Business School's research supports this, suggesting that a thorough understanding of failures can fuel long-term growth.

In other words, embracing failure is a crucial ingredient for success.

Of course, to embrace it you first have to admit that it happens and I'm not talking about pointing out everyone else's shortcomings!

I'm talking about taking accountability for your own actions and decisions.

Try "I got it wrong" or "I was off the mark on that one" and see how you get on.

I guarantee you'll feel better straight away. You'll feel less anxious. Your colleagues will respect you more. You'll make it easier for them to hold their hands up when the time comes (which it will!)

As that positive attitude towards failure spreads through an organisation, special things begin to happen.

Creativity explodes, problem-solving becomes fun, engagement skyrockets. I've seen it firsthand.

The openness and transparency that come with this shift in perspective can turn an oppressive culture into an invigorating one, where people can't wait to roll their sleeves up and get their ideas on the table.

Change your perceptions

A lot of people these days talk about having a "growth mindset," but not as many practice what they preach.

Dr. Carol S. Dweck's book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" is a good place to start if you’re interested in exploring the concept.

She characterises the "growth mindset" as embracing challenges, persisting through setbacks, and learning from criticism.

What's really important about a growth mindset is that it doesn't avoid tough situations, nor fear the success of others.

It sees failure as an opportunity for growth.

Now as I've pointed out before in Connect the Dots, you decide how you approach a situation.

You can come with a fixed mindset and see only problems, failure, risk, and embarrassment.

Or you can reframe the position as an opportunity, a learning moment - a growth moment.

So, step one is to redefine what failure looks like to you. Accept that things don’t always go to plan. Then, reframe “failing” as “learning” and in doing so, put the emphasis on doing better next time out.

Toughen up kiddo!

I’ve been talking to my seven-year-old daughter recently about her favourite story characters, Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker.

As the heroes of their respective tales, they have a lot in common and one shared trait is their ability to keep going no matter how tough things look.

When the chips are down, not even Voldemort or Darth Vader can hold them back!

Chances are good your decisions won’t lead you to face mortal danger at the hands of a dark lord, but we can still learn from these two young heroes.

Work on developing your emotional intelligence to help you manage life’s ups and downs more effectively.

A bit like a Jedi would!

Dr Daniel Goleman’s work on emotional intelligence has influenced a wide range of areas from business leadership to education.

Among other things, he espouses the importance of self-regulation, or the ability to control your negative impulses and moods. If you can take a step back, assess the situation, and think before labeling it a disaster, you’ll have a better chance of overcoming challenges.

One of the most interesting aspects of Goleman's work is the idea that emotional intelligence isn’t a static trait. It can be developed through practice and learning. In other words, like so much else you have today, it’s in your hands to decide what it’s going to look like tomorrow.

Now, when the proverbial does hit the fan, you’re going to have to face up to it.

And that’s when you have the chance to learn

I try to work out exactly what went wrong and what I could do differently next time. I self-reflect to establish my role in the failure, and whether there were any mitigating circumstances at play.

A final piece of the jigsaw to consider is learning from others.

Bearing in mind everyone makes mistakes, you can be sure any successful individual you care to choose has blundered many times over.

See if you can study the failures of successful individuals and companies. Learn how they turned their setbacks into comebacks. Understand their processes and try to replicate them.

Perhaps a mentor who has experienced and overcome failure can offer you a different point of view on your challenges.

Failure is not the opposite of success; it's a part of it. Accept that reality and you'll open all sorts of doors for yourself.

If you can redefine failure, build your resilience, and learn from those who have erred before you, you'll be walking through those doors to a more successful future.

So go screw something up today and see how far it gets you!