This is one of the beliefs of excellence in Neuro Linguistic programming (NLP) that has resonated strongly with me in life so far: There is no failure, only feedback and learning. This realization dawned on me when I was on the verge of getting dropped out of my MBA program in 2011, while undergoing depression and feeling like my self-confidence had hit rock bottom. However, I took some time off and overcame depression to bring myself back on track with support of family and friends. Since then, whether it was a lost business deal, a failed exam, or overcoming a health challenge, I have learned to see failure in a positive light. Through the lens of NLP, failure is no longer a source of fear, but a natural part of the learning process that can lead to growth and development.
Failure in our society is often associated with negativity. However, temporary setbacks or failures have little to do with what one can accomplish in their lifetime. Thomas Alva Edison, one of the great innovators and scientists also failed 1,000 times before he could invent electric bulb. However, his response to these failures was “I didn’t fail 1000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1000 steps.” Often success can be attributed to our ability to learn from failures, embrace new solutions, and continuously innovate. John C. Maxwell, a leading leadership expert, has even written a book named ‘Failing Forward’, encouraging people to fail faster and turn these failures into stepping stones for success.
Similarly, in today’s world, Design thinking is a valuable problem-solving skill that enables organizations and individuals to effectively analyse problems, brainstorm solutions, prototype, and test them before implementing them to move forward towards success. In the early 1980s, when Steve Jobs approached IDEO with the challenge of designing a mouse that could make the Macintosh computer more user-friendly. IDEO’s designers went through several iterations, prototyping and testing various designs until they finally developed a mouse that was intuitive to use and visually appealing. This mouse went on to become a hallmark of Apple’s success in creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing products. IDEO understood that failure is a natural part of the innovation process and they were willing to test and iterate their products multiple times before launching them to the market. Additionally, NLP also suggests following the TOTE (Test-Operate-Test-Exit) model for reaching the desired state from the current state.
Personally, I have had several instances of failure in both my personal and professional life. Now, when I encounter setbacks or failures, I remind myself that it is an opportunity for self-reflection to learn something valuable from the failure, which will enable me to grow as a person. Self-compassion is also essential when it comes to embracing failure. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we fail, but we should practice self-kindness by treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we would show to a friend.
Finally, by adopting the TOTE model, the design thinking approach, and a growth mindset, we can see failure as not the end road but the start of a new journey towards achieving our dreams. Failure is just a few steps closer to your success.