The failure paradox states that you are closer to success if you fail than if you never failed in the first place. And yet we still perceive failure as something negative, to be avoided. In this blog, I explore the importance of embracing failure…
I’ve recently been reading a book called Black Box Thinking (well, not so much reading as listening on Audible, but let’s not split hairs!) It starts out by comparing the aviation industry with the medical industry in terms of how they handle failure. Spoiler alert, both are shockingly different. I’m not a fan of flying but it seems I’m likely to be much safer in an aeroplane than an operating theatre.
Words can be very powerful in terms of the emotional response they provoke, and “failure” is often interpreted negatively. And yet failure is not just a stepping stone to success but an essential ingredient in the recipe for personal and professional growth. By embracing rather than fearing failure, it can be transformed into a powerful catalyst for achieving your goals.
Perfection is a false ideal
A bit of doom-scrolling on your favourite social media platform and you could be forgiven for thinking that perfection equates to success. Whilst some people relish sharing their warts-and-all lives, most are presenting a showcase reel of carefully curated content designed to look as though they’re living their best life. This illusion of constant success can lead to an unhealthy fear of failure, where the prospect of making mistakes becomes paralysing.
But perfection is generally unattainable. Every apparently successful individual has faced setbacks, made mistakes and experienced plenty of doubt. The difference lies in how they respond to these failures. James Dyson, inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner, is quoted as saying “There is nothing more exciting than conducting experiments. Many will fail, but learn to enjoy failure and discover through it. You never learn from success.” In fact, James Dyson is a serial inventor and has been granted over 1,000 patents, so he has clearly never been put off by failure.
Another serial inventor is Thomas Edison, creator of the original incandescent lightbulb. In response to a newspaper reporter who asked him about his multitude of failures, Edison is reputed to have said “I will not say I failed 1,000 times, I will say that I found 1,000 ways that won’t work.”
It’s not failure, it’s feedback
What successful inventors have in common is the ability to reframe their failures and use them as learning opportunities. Of course, this doesn’t just apply in the world of invention. Any kind of failure is an opportunity for us to analyse what went wrong, understand the underlying causes and gain valuable insights. This process of reflection and analysis is crucial for personal development and continuous improvement. Every setback can provide essential knowledge and experience.
Failure builds resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. When we encounter obstacles and setbacks, we develop the strength to persevere and adapt. Not only does this help us overcome future challenges, but it also builds confidence and mental toughness.
Consider a toddler when they are first learning to walk. It’s very much a process of trial and error, finding ways to get to (and stay on) their feet, grasping the mechanics of transferring their weight from one foot to the other whilst maintaining their balance, and falling frequently. But they don’t give up and failure is not a concept they understand. It’s simply a process of learning until they achieve mastery.
Innovation and creativity
We’ve already seen how much failure features in the process of innovation, but it is also a powerful driver of creativity. When we’re not afraid to fail, we are much more likely to take risks, think outside the box and experiment with new ideas. This willingness to step outside of our comfort zone often leads to breakthroughs and advancements that would have otherwise seemed impossible.
The tech industry is a prime example of an industry that embraces failure in the pursuit of experimentation and breakthroughs. They have a “fail fast” approach that fosters an environment where creativity can flourish in the pursuit of new and better products and services.
Reframing failure
We need to stop interpreting failure as negative and instead redefine it as an integral part of the learning process. By shifting our perspective in this way, we can approach challenges with curiosity and optimism rather than fear and dread.
Practical tips to embrace failure
Set realistic expectations – failure is a natural part of any endeavour, so be prepared to establish realistic goals and expect setbacks along the way.
Reflect and learn – in 1984, David Kolb (an American psychologist and educational theorist) proposed a four-stage learning cycle: 1) have an experience 2) reflect on the experience 3) learn from the experience 4) try out what you have learned. In the Black Box Thinking book that I mentioned earlier, this is called “closed loop thinking” – in other words, it’s where we use the output from a process (step 3) to moderate the activity (step 4).
Cultivate a growth mindset – a fixed mindset is one that sees failure as a reflection of a person’s lack of abilities, thereby making it inevitable, whereas a growth mindset recognises a person’s capacity to learn and improve.
Seek support – surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, mentors, colleagues, maybe even a coach, who can provide encouragement and constructive feedback.
Celebrate effort – recognise and celebrate your efforts, regardless of the outcome. It takes courage to try something new and unfamiliar.
Summary
Failure is an essential part of success. When we embrace failure and understand its value, we can unlock new levels of growth, resilience and creativity. The next time you encounter a setback, take a pause, reflect on the experience, adapt your approach and keep moving forwards.
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