Failing Forward

Failure is not a dead end—it’s a stepping stone toward success when approached with the right mindset.

1. Failure is an Inevitable Part of Growth

Failure isn’t something you can avoid indefinitely; it’s closely tied to achievement and growth. Successful people understand that failure is simply part of the journey. Entrepreneurs, for instance, face an average of 3.8 failed ventures before finally establishing a successful business.

What matters most is the ability to push through these setbacks. Fearing failure will often stop people from even attempting something new, while accepting it as part of the process leads to resilience and eventual success. This mindset enables individuals to keep striving despite difficulties.

Take Sergio Zyman, a Coca-Cola executive who spearheaded the disastrous New Coke launch in the 1980s. Despite costing Coca-Cola $100 million and his own job, this failure paved the way for Coca-Cola Classic's relaunch, which became a huge success. Zyman’s failed idea ultimately created the conditions for a bounce-back triumph.

Examples

• Entrepreneurs average 3.8 failed ventures before succeeding.
• Sergio Zyman’s New Coke failure resulted in Coca-Cola Classic’s success.
• Mistakes made in one attempt can inform more effective strategies later.

2. Failure Unveils Unexpected Opportunities

When projects fail, they often catalyze breakthroughs or new discoveries. Thomas Edison’s attempts to improve the telegraph machine resulted in the revolutionary invention of the phonograph, illustrating how failure can transform into innovation and fresh opportunities.

Often, failure motivates individuals to work harder and think differently. Consider Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who was fired from his CEO position at Handy Dan. Instead of giving up, he co-founded Home Depot, which later became one of the most successful retail chains globally.

Failures also teach resourcefulness. Edison called this “drawing dividends from failure,” where attempts that go awry still provide useful lessons for the future.

Examples

• Edison’s failed telegraph improvements led to the phonograph.
• Bernie Marcus turned his firing into the billion-dollar Home Depot enterprise.
• Reframing failures as lessons often uncovers new possibilities.

3. You're Not Always to Blame for Failing

Failures often stem from forces beyond your control, but your response to them is what shapes your outcomes. Blame isn’t productive, but taking responsibility to create solutions is.

A striking example is Greg Horn, whose supermarket was devastated by a flood in Kentucky. Rather than folding under the weight of circumstances he didn’t control, he reopened his store within 21 days, all while continuing to support his employees.

Similarly, Roger Crawford, born with ectrodactylism, didn’t let his condition stop him from pursuing tennis. By owning his dreams and not succumbing to victimhood, Crawford became the first certified American tennis professional with a disability.

Examples

• Greg Horn repaired and reopened his supermarket after a flood in record time.
• Roger Crawford overcame ectrodactylism to enjoy a successful tennis career.
• Blaming others doesn’t solve problems; owning your actions does.

4. Learning From Failure Transforms It Into Knowledge

The most valuable aspect of failure is the lessons it can teach. However, this only works if you actively seek to understand what went wrong and adjust accordingly.

For example, an anecdote from Art and Fear tells of a ceramics teacher who divided students: one group created many pieces to focus on quantity, while the other aimed for a single high-quality piece. The group making more pieces ultimately produced better quality work—their frequent failures sharpened their skills with each attempt.

In contrast, Charlie Brown from Peanuts exemplifies what happens when you don't learn from mistakes. After his sandcastle is swept away by waves, he recognizes there's something to learn but makes no effort to reflect.

Examples

• Students creating multiple ceramic pieces learned more and improved faster.
• Charlie Brown ignored the lessons failure could teach after his sandcastle collapsed.
• Repeated attempts and reflection help refine both skills and ideas.

5. Fear of Failure Holds Back Progress

Fear can paralyze us from attempting anything meaningful. By overcoming fear, we allow ourselves to take risks that lead to long-lasting rewards.

Amelia Earhart is a prime example. Even after crashing during a takeoff for a flight around the equator, she didn’t stop pursuing her passion for flying. Ultimately, she achieved six world records, including being the first solo female pilot to cross the Atlantic.

Daily life offers many instances where we confront fear and act anyway, such as driving cars despite knowing the risks. Letting fear steer decisions limits self-growth and prevents us from building the courage to tackle bigger challenges.

Examples

• Earhart broke flying records after pushing past early failures.
• Driving despite fear resembles how daily risks prepare us to face greater fears.
• Refusing to act out of fear often results in diminished opportunities.

6. Successful People Set Clear Goals

Knowing exactly what you’re aiming for allows you to channel energy in a productive way. Many people work hard without a plan, leading to frustration and wasted effort.

For instance, instead of simply longing for better work-life balance, you might set a concrete goal like earning passive income through investments. Defined objectives clarify the actions required and make success tangible.

This approach aligns with writer Don Marquis’s observation that most people are willing to suffer for change, but they rarely know what they’re working toward.

Examples

• Entrepreneurs who clarify objectives turn failures into stepping stones.
• Setting retirement goals early creates achievable benchmarks.
• Working without direction often leads to burnout and dissatisfaction.

7. Building Relationships Fuels Success

Achieving big objectives often requires the support, insights, and cooperation of others. Developing communication and interpersonal skills amplifies your ability to garner that support.

For example, winning investors for a startup or earning an employer’s trust often hinges less on technical skills and more on the ability to clearly convey ideas and build rapport. Networking and teamwork become invaluable resources.

Even historically renowned individuals often benefited from a community of supporters who believed in their vision.

Examples

• Negotiation skills help leaders secure funding or partnerships.
• Effective collaboration drives organizational and individual achievements.
• Strong relationships foster broader opportunities for growth.

8. Positivity Turns Failure Into a Catalyst

Your mindset influences how you perceive and respond to failure. A positive attitude propels you forward, even when circumstances seem bleak.

A story shared by W. Clement Stone shows how a girl, unhappy with her new life, discovered peace by adopting a more optimistic viewpoint. She compared her perceptions to two prisoners—one who saw mud and one who saw stars. By focusing on the positives, she found meaning even while surrounded by challenges.

Reframing setbacks as opportunities sets the stage for groundbreaking progress.

Examples

• Maintaining hope helps entrepreneurs recover from bankruptcy.
• Positive attitudes foster resilience after failed ventures or ideas.
• Perspective shifts have historically enabled leaders to persevere.

9. Failure Encourages Innovation

Failure forces you to reassess your strategies, which often leads to inventive solutions. The process of trial and error reveals paths you might not have considered otherwise.

Thomas Edison is known for saying, "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His mindset during early failures in creating the light bulb paved the way for one of history’s most important inventions. Challenges refine your approach with each attempt.

Failure’s discomfort is the very factor that makes us improve.

Examples

• Edison’s attitude about light bulb experiments proves innovation grows from failed attempts.
• Missteps during product launches often improve next iterations.
• Creative solutions emerge when existing plans fall short.

Takeaways

1. Redefine failure as a learning experience—reflect on missteps and strategize better approaches.
2. Set measurable goals to create focus and direction for your efforts.
3. Cultivate strong communication skills to utilize the network and support required for success.