Failing Forward
In the context of a youth enterprise workshop, a question arose regarding the significance of giving and receiving feedback, as well as the importance of open communication. One participant was asked to assess themselves in these areas. When the youth rated themselves a mere 1 out of 5, the question of “Why?” was posed. Unfortunately, the response received was, “I am afraid of being incorrect.”
The fear of failure and the desire to always be “right” is a mindset that many of us adopt as we embark on our journeys. Nevertheless, the belief that failure is not an option may not be the most beneficial attitude for long-term success. In his remarkable book Failing Forward, John Maxwell argues that our perception of failure is flawed, and this negative perception can hinder our potential for success in life.
We begin our lives as sponges, learning from our triumphs and setbacks. As we progress from crawling to walking and babbling to speaking, we learn from our minor blunders until we discover the most effective approaches for ourselves. Failing Forward offers several crucial insights that young individuals and their parents can bear in mind and maintain as a helpful mindset throughout the ups and downs of their journey.
Outlined below are a few key points and takeaways from Failing Forward:
1. Failure is inevitable.
When we fail at something, it is often because we are attempting it for the first time. As we navigate through life, we encounter numerous opportunities to try new things. If we believe that we must excel at everything right from the start, this mindset might deter us from venturing into uncharted territories and discovering new opportunities.
2. Failure opens doors to fresh possibilities.
Just as acquiring new skills and knowledge unlocks new opportunities, failure in one area can lead to unexplored avenues. These unexplored paths may present various opportunities that we had not initially considered.
3. While failure may be beyond our control, taking responsibility for success is within our power.
Failures often occur due to a combination of factors beyond our control. However, one aspect that we do have control over in every situation is our attitude. By adopting the perspective that a project failure does not equate to personal failure, we become more open to creativity and more willing to embrace new endeavours.
4. Failures provide invaluable learning opportunities.
Achieving success in an endeavour or project is undeniably gratifying and educational. However, when things do not go as planned, the potential for learning arises at every step of the journey. These learning opportunities can pertain to the process and personal growth and development.
5. Overcoming the fear of failure can pave the way for long-term success.
Success can take on various definitions, but regardless of how it is defined, the act of trying new things remains crucial. It presents us with fresh learning opportunities. Similar to our initial attempts at walking or communicating, we were not flawless initially, but we persevered and made progress.
6. A positive mindset serves as a vital tool in this process.
It enables us to perceive the possibilities that exist in the world, allowing us to navigate through unexpected obstacles. When the direct path towards our goal proves unsuccessful, having the ability to identify alternative routes helps us continue our journey towards achieving that ultimate objective.
Little Go Getters encourages exploring and trying new things through highlighting five general enterprising tendencies through stories for youth. Experience teaches us the most, but seeing others doing activities is the next form of learning we gain the most from.