You do not have to scroll for long on any social media platform to find a self-proclaimed motivational speaker speaking about failure and how they do not believe in it. “Failure is not an option” is branded around far too regularly.
In reality, failure is a part of life. And there is something comforting about accepting that failure does exist and is a very real option for all of us, both professionally and personally.
I have lost count of the number of times I have failed at something, from small things – like missing a target finish time in a race – to bigger things – like being rejected from various graduate schemes and leaving university without a job lined up.
Perhaps the reason people want to say failure is not an option is because failure is painful. These events hurt and you cannot escape that.
However, it is a lot more painful if you have not acknowledged the possibility that it might not work out the way you wanted it to.
Accepting the possibility of failure does not mean giving up. You can still do your best to get a new product off the ground or achieve a promotion, for example.
Some actually find it easier to take chances and risks once they accept it may not work out. In many ways it takes the pressure off.
You may find it easier to apply for the new job or promotion if you accept you might not get the role and treat it as a learning opportunity instead. This approach may also mean you are more relaxed throughout the process and end up being successful as a result.
Failure can also be seen as a positive. Without failure there would be no progress. In the corporate environment, companies and products have to fail to create space for new firms and innovations.
If space was not made for new entrants in the market, we would all still be using Blackberries and flip phones!
Being open to failure also allows you to remain flexible. When you are so focused on one goal, it can be hard to see the bigger picture or to accept that the approach you have taken might not be the best way.
Knowing when to let an idea, product, or even company go is a very underrated skill. Those that can do this successfully often prove to achieve the most in the long run.
Ever heard of Virgin Cola or Virgin Vodka? Or perhaps Terrys Chocolate Apples or Lemons? These products failing certainly did not stop their respective companies from succeeding.
