What separates high achievers from the rest? It’s not just raw talent, intelligence, or luck. It’s the ability to accept failure, learn from it, and keep moving forward. Achievers don’t fear failure – they embrace it as part of the process. It is my profession to train people to become high achievers, and I’ve learned that anyone can develop the mindset needed to “fail forward” and succeed.
Here’s how you can do it too:
- Don’t Shoulder All the Blame
When you fail, it’s tempting to assume full responsibility, believing you just weren’t “good enough.” But taking on all the blame is not only inaccurate but also overwhelming.
Shift your perspective. Reflect on all factors that contributed to the failure, and assess your role with clarity. It’s crucial to differentiate between being someone who has failed and being a failure. The two are not the same.
Consider this: If we share our successes with others, why do we insist on bearing the full burden of failure ourselves? While it’s important to understand your contribution to a failure, it’s equally vital not to overestimate it.
- Take Action, Despite the Fear
Failure can create fear, making you hesitate before taking the next step. You may want to wait until you’re sure you won’t fail again, but that’s not realistic. Perfection and guarantees don’t exist, and waiting only leads to paralysis.
The key is to acknowledge the fear, accept that failure may happen again, and keep moving forward. Each failure is a stepping stone, providing valuable lessons that will bring you closer to success.
- See Failure as the Past
Failure happened, but it doesn’t define your future. Every day offers a fresh start with new opportunities. Just remember, yesterday was then and today is a new chance to try again.
Living in the present and viewing failure as something that’s already behind you helps you stay focused on new possibilities and growth.
- Change Yourself, Change Your World
If you keep failing in the same way, it’s likely that the problem lies not in the situation but in you. This is an opportunity for personal development. Ask yourself: Do you need new skills? Did you work with the right people? What can you do differently next time?
Recognising the areas where you need improvement is crucial to overcoming repeated failures. And if you can’t see what went wrong, seek guidance from others who have been through similar experiences and come out the other side.
Remember, it’s not the failure itself but how you respond to it that determines your future success.
- Don’t Let Success Lead to Complacency
One of the biggest traps for achievers is resting on their laurels. If you’re not failing occasionally, it might mean you’re playing it safe, avoiding new challenges. This leads to stagnation, not growth. I talk a lot about breaking out of your comfort zone with my clients – do not stay too comfortable – take calculated risks.
After a string of successes, it’s easy to feel like you’ve “arrived.” But real growth comes from continuously challenging yourself. Complacency is the enemy of achievement. High achievers know that success isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey of pushing beyond current limits.
- The Fine Line Between Success and Failure
People often think the difference between success and failure is vast, but the reality is it’s often a thin line
In life, the difference between success and failure is often just a small adjustment or improvement. Incremental changes in how you approach challenges or react to setbacks can significantly increase your success rate.
If your success rate right now is 50%, imagine what a shift to 60% could mean for your career, relationships, or personal goals.
Conclusion: Fail Forward to Succeed
Success isn’t about never failing; it’s about learning from each failure and getting better with every attempt. Every time you fail, there’s an opportunity to learn, adjust, and move forward. As you learn to fail forward, you’ll find yourself doing more of what leads to success and less of what causes failure. And with time, you’ll close that gap between where you are and where you want to be.
The journey to success is built on failure—don’t fear it, embrace it.
If you would like to take more risks, grow your business and make a new plan, please do arrange a meeting with me. This meeting comes with no obligation, and I offer 5 free business reviews a month to business owners who need it, so make sure one of them is for you and your business. Book a chat with me here via my calendar link
https://meetings.hubspot.com/justincharlton-jones/zoom-meeting-with-action-coach-buckingham
Justin Charlton-Jones
ActionCoach Buckingham
