How Failure Builds Confidence

In the tech and business world, there is a theory called "fast failing."

Fast failing centers around the concept that multiple ideas or prototypes are put out into the world, knowing that most will fail.

Rather than spending time perfecting one new idea or prototype, less effort goes into these multiple ideas/prototypes at the start.

The goal is to solicit feedback about what does or does not work, to then iterate on the ideas that worked well.

Time and energy are not wasted on building something with unknown potential, and there is an expectation for learning and further development.  

So how is this relevant to you?

Building confidence requires some of the same approaches as "fast failing"

1. Letting go of perfection

• Instead of agonizing over a presentation, project or a patient encounter, hemming and hawing, ruminating and ultimately not feeling confident taking the "fast fail" approach allows you to stop overthinking, accept what you have, and learn from the experience.

1. Opportunity

• Viewing a choice, action or situation as an opportunity to learn rather than a chance to beat yourself up is a powerful way to build confidence

• Which person in the below do you think has more confidence?

• "wow, that went terribly, I'm so stupid for doing xzy.  I'll never be any good."

• "Wow, that didn't go as planned.  Next time I can try doing abc, and see if that works better"

1. Learning

• Learning from your experience takes some conscious reflection

• Trying asking yourself

• What went well?  What didn't go as well as I hoped?

• What did I learn about myself from this experience

• What is a different strategy I can try next time?

• What additional skills or knowledge will be helpful for me to grow in this area?

1. Risk

• There is certainly risk involved in "fast failing" - I'm not talking jumping out of an airplane risk, but stepping outside your comfort zone a little bit

• By taking small risks, you can build comfort around "fast failing" and support the most important piece of all - taking action

1. Action

• Inherent in fast failure is action - putting out ideas and prototypes (letting go of perfection, taking risks), looking for feedback (opportunity and learning), and iterating (all of the above!) are all centered around forward momentum

• Taking action can prevent or stop overthinking and analysis paralysis

• If there is no action, nothing will change

I read an article by Peter Stansbury that recommended the term "Fast Failure" be replaced by "Fast Learning" as the focus is really on the learning and the journey rather than the failure itself.  

For everyone who hears the word failure and gets a little twitchy, this can be a helpful reframe!

What's one takeaway from this concept you can use this week to build your confidence and move towards your goals?

"When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel"

           - Eloise Ristad