The overwhelming success of failure…

I already know for certain that you are brilliant at failure.  You learnt to walk by falling over, to talk by babbling and squeaking, to eat by trying and missing! Without it, you would be unable to walk, talk, eat – or read this text. So, congratulations – we are already united in our ability to successfully fail.

What is failure?

‘Failure’ is defined in the O.E.D. as “…a failing to occur, be performed, or be produced: an omitting to perform something due or required; default…” – it even cites a similar French definition dating back to 1641. Of course, I don’t like this, as it is so negative and un-inspirational – the opposite of what I believe failure really is – so let’s take a moment to explore ‘failure’ from a different angle.

What are we afraid of?

Basically, many of us are afraid of failure, and all of its incumbent damage. However, once we change our perspective on failure as being negative, and embrace it as being positive, we remove the very essence of fear that is all pervasive in the experience. Some of us are nervous of seeming “silly” if we don’t do something correctly, some may become embarrassed that they may appear inadequate or not capable, or fear that shame will be brought upon them. Even more dangerous though, might be that the fear of failure is so strong that it actually stops people from trying, from taking that risk – which means that we, as a world, could be missing out on potentially innumerable discoveries that could be made were it not for the contraceptive fear of failure. Where would we all be without Superglue for example? (Imagine the ‘failure’ cycle for that!)

What are the downsides to failure?

Let’s be realistic.  Unavoidable events can occur, accidents happen, unforeseen circumstances involving human failure, mechanical failure and even a ‘force majeure’, all of which can be catastrophic – dare I even mention the tragically ill-fated Titanic submersible – are possible.  However, the best/only way to develop from such horror and claw some progress from it, is to learn from it – and IMPLIMENT CHANGE.  You’ll note that this is in angry capital letters – not a technique endorsed by my marketing company I can assure you, but I stand by it because of the following:  In my previous career, I continually heard the phrase “…we are very sorry…..lessons have been learnt…”, when really the message should have been: “…we are very sorry…lessons have been learnt…here are the changes we have made because of it…”, none of which generally happened. The latter sentence shows the success of failure.

What is “successful failure”?

If we choose to, we can see failure all around us – home, work, business, sport, hobbies and personal achievements.  To share quickly with you some of my on-going fabulous failure, in lockdown I was bought a cello.  A wonderfully woody, resonant cello, full of sounds and life and potential.  Many days I look at it standing proud in all it’s glory in the lounge and wish I could play it.  Then, as soon as I pick it up, it seems that I can! I can hold all of the parts in nearly the right way and move them so that they make a sound – admittedly not always good sound, but MY sound, sound no-one else made at the time, or maybe even ever before! Not quite Yoyo Mar, but it’s my daily successful failure! It’s brilliant!

I determinedly interpret failure as growth, even if it can be difficult to pick out at the time. If you choose to allow yourself the luxury of time and a little rational reflection, failure is actually an integral part of your future. No failure would mean no internet, computers, cars, central heating, mobile phones, safe housing, flight, music or even paper.

What are the benefits of failure?

Failure means “…it mattered so much that we tried and learned…”.

Failure means that we can base our findings on fact not fiction or supposition.

Failure means that we had progressive thoughts.

Failure means that we are creative, perhaps even innovative.

Failure (when we develop from it) means that we have succeeded.

In summary

Whatever sector you work in, at whatever level, and whomsoever you work with, allow for, even encourage, ‘mistakes’ and ‘failure’, then suck all of the learning out of it – and make change, because that’s how failure ALWAYS succeeds – remember how you learnt to walk as a baby!

P.S. I would very much like to create a new definition of failure, perhaps:

“…an experience from which much can be learned, developed, shared and acted upon…”.

Others that I like are;

“I’ve not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas A. Eddison

“The phoenix must burn to emerge” (Janet Fitch)

“Giving up is the only sure way to fail” (Gena Showalter)

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” Anon

What would yours be?…