Despite admonishments to “fail early, often, and well,” we would much rather avoid failure altogether. We fear failure. Practical philosopher Peter Koestenbaum says that we see failure as a form of mini-death. No wonder we have elaborate defenses to avoid it.
Yet fear of failure limits our success. We don’t leap. We don’t commit. We pull our punches. We run too quickly for the exits when things start to go wrong. And we can shut down innovation, creativity, and caring by penalizing failures.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison.
Instead of seeing failures as mini-deaths to be avoided (“failure is not an option”), and instead of forcing yourself to enjoy failing (“fail early and often), try a fail-so-we-can-win perspective.
- Feel good. Then act.
- Describe what’s true now,
- Focus on a compelling outcome (win) you’d love to have,
- Describe and do the very next step toward having that outcome
- Measure the results, noting what worked (not fail) and what didn’t work (failed).
- Repeat, as needed.
In your corner,
Mike
PS: Come fail away with me.
Today’s photo credit: hans.gerwitz cc