What Lessons Can Failure Teach You?
For some individuals, failure carries a connotation of embarrassment, triggering a paralyzing fear that hinders them from attempting again. However, for those committed to lifelong learning, failure serves as a motivating force that inspires them to uncover valuable lessons from their experiences, persevere with increased determination, and strive for success through unique and innovative approaches.
Back in 2018, I had the privilege of joining a diverse group of association professionals at ASAE’s Technology Conference and Expo, which culminated in the highly anticipated third annual Fail Fest. Prior to delving into the narratives of four significantly different “failures,” I pledged to uphold the Fail Fest oath, promising not to divulge specific examples or event-related information through social media or other channels. However, what was left unsaid was the opportunity to share the essential insights derived from the session.
With the objective of learning from failure, or even the perception of failure, in mind, Fail Fest offered a profound revelation that holds relevance for both your personal and professional life.
When faced with decision-making, embrace the possibility of losing everything and prioritize making the next appropriate choice.
Life presents us with a multitude of choices, varying in magnitude. Similar to taxes and change, choices will always be a constant presence. The actions we take when faced with these choices significantly impact our likelihood of encountering failure in specific situations.
In the realm of business, a single “wrong” choice can lead to the squandering of substantial project budgets or the complete derailment of endeavors. However, it is crucial to recognize that failure provides an opportunity to redirect our focus towards making the right decisions moving forward. This might entail sharing our failures with our team, allowing others to learn from them, proposing solutions instead of succumbing to panic, or acquiring the skills to mitigate failing situations and transforming them into partial failures rather than complete ones.
It is important to remember that not all is lost. Even in the face of past failures resulting from poor decisions, there are countless opportunities to make better choices in the future.
Failure serves as an accumulative learning experience.
Through every failure, you have the opportunity to grow and cultivate a mindset that embraces self-reflection. This practice of introspection aids in avoiding similar failures in the future. By analyzing what went awry in a project or situation, you can identify the specific decision that triggered the failure and devise strategies to prevent similar occurrences. Reflection plays a crucial role in extracting valuable lessons from failure and is an essential component of the learning process.
Before commencing a project, it is crucial to proactively contemplate a potential solution or backup plan (Plan B) in case things go awry. Treat it as your lifeboat, ready to navigate through unexpected challenges or setbacks.
Just as you wouldn’t embark on a multi-week cruise without life vests and lifeboats, it’s imperative not to undertake a multi-week or month-long project without a well-considered Plan B. This approach aims to mitigate the risk of failure rather than solely focusing on learning from failure. However, if you actively engage in self-reflection after experiencing previous setbacks, this advice becomes even more logical. It’s akin to the fundamentals of project management.
Don’t allow a lack of project scope and details to become the cause of your failure. Ensure that your planning is comprehensive enough to encompass both a partial and complete backup plan.
Failure is an inherent part of being human; it is inevitable at times. We are prone to unpredictability, often relying on intuition rather than concrete facts or succumbing to excessive optimism. However, if you can shift your perception of failure and regard each “fail” as an opportunity for learning, your chances of long-term success will inevitably increase. After all, we are only human, and perception does not always align with reality. What may appear as a failure to you might be seen as a minor setback by others.
Rise above your failures, learn from your mistakes, and find solace in the knowledge that you have the opportunity to make the right choices in the near future.
