Getting Your Goals: How to Fail

In our previous edition of our getting your goals series, we spoke to Alex Chisnall all about entrepreneurial spirit and we were particularly struck by his advice on how to know you are ready to take a leap of faith into something new.

“The only way you'll ever know if you're ready is by trying and failing until you get it right. Failure is just learning, the same as a toddler learning to walk. If you gave up after you first fell over, you'd never learn to walk!”

It was such an interesting thought that it has inspired us to write this month's instalment all around the idea of how to fail well. ?

Failure has become a bit of a taboo word, often something we strive to avoid in our day to day work. And yet, as Alex so helpfully pointed out, it is an integral part of learning.?

And scrolling through the inspiring articles from Mark Masters that ping into our inbox, we’ve learnt even more. Mark is a master (pun not intended) of community building and hosts the infamous YATM Creator Day that all our Poole members will know, as well as failed nights at FOUNDRY, where stories of failure inspire stories of success. In particular one newsletter stood out, which justified showing up, perseverance and the ability to keep going. In his powerful words, ‘Discomfort is a catalyst for growth’ and failures are all part of the journey..

“The importance of keeping going is not about reaching for an endpoint, it’s about relishing the journey, learning from every experience, and striving to make a meaningful impact.”?

Within this article, we have set out five pieces of advice on how to fail well and to embrace the learning journey! Learned from our incredible members.?

Acknowledge your failure:?

It is easier said than done but true nonetheless, you can only learn from your failures once you become comfortable with acknowledging them as mistakes. In other words, if we are always quick to brush our failures under the carpet without sitting with them and seeing where we went wrong, we lose the opportunity to learn.

However, this is a fine balance. It is important to use these insights gained from reflection to inform future attempts but equally key not to dwell on the failure too long that it stops you getting back up again and having another go.?

Maintain Perspective:

The easiest way to become comfortable with failure is to understand that what you do, or don’t do, doesn’t define you and that you are worth much more than the title you hold at work. This is often easy to lose sight of when so much of our lives can begin to revolve around our work. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to take a step back and consider the bigger picture of your life, where you have come from, the small wins and the overall direction that you are moving in.

Surround yourself with supportive people:

It is key to have at least one or two people in your life that know you well and can continue to champion and support you, even when you don’t feel worth championing! Failure is not always easy and sometimes getting back up again can be one of the hardest things to do. Having a strong support system with people to lean on, friends and family or mentors that can provide encouragement and advice is key.?

Stay persistent:?

Failure is not a one time thing, chances are it will happen again and again as you experiment with new things over the course of a lifetime. Some things will feel bigger than others but each time it is about ‘failing forward’ and getting back up and trying again. This is especially true as an entrepreneur, as Alex pointed out, sometimes you might fail multiple times at the same thing until one time it sticks and that’s when you know you are onto something good! Persistence is key to overcoming failure, and not just the first time you fail but also the second, third and fourth. Keep working towards your goals even when faced with obstacles because the muscles you develop in the process are often the key to succeeding in the future.?

Everyone fails:

Yes, it might be hard to believe and easy to forget, but it’s so important to remember that everyone fails! Ask anyone that you see as successful and you’ll be sure to hear a number of stories of failure. Be kind to yourself, avoid harsh self-criticism and recognise that failure is a normal part of the human experience.?

We believe that failing well is a skill that is all part of the process of growing through the changing seasons of life. At FOUNDRY we love our amazing community of talented people and are constantly inspired by the stories we are privileged to hear. However, behind all the stories, the LinkedIn success posts and the topline facts and figures, there are many hard truths that have been learnt along the way. As a community, it is important to keep it real and to maintain a healthy perspective. Getting your goals is not always easy and straightforward but wherever you are at in the journey, we are championing you here at FOUNDRY!?