Failing Forward: Embrace Epic Fails and Learn from Them

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CAREER + MONEY

Failing Forward: Embrace Epic Fails and Learn from Them

Once upon a time, failure felt like the ultimate defeat—a red mark on your record that meant you weren’t cut out for success. But the truth? Those so-called “epic fails” are actually packed with lessons. Here’s why learning to fail forward might just be the smartest move you’ll ever make.

BY HARRIET ISHBEL SWEENEY / 17 MARCH 2025

Photo Credit: PERVAHUMAN

Let’s be honest, who really enjoys failing? No one’s got “epic fail” on their vision board, right? But here’s the thing: failure is inevitable. And while it’s far from glamorous, failing forward can be your greatest asset in business, work, and life. The key is not just about failing (because that’s going to happen anyway), it’s about embracing it, learning from it, and using it as rocket fuel to get you where you want to be.

In a world that loves to highlight success stories and perfectly curated Instagram feeds, it’s easy to forget that failure is not only common but also crucial to personal and professional growth. And if you’re running a business or navigating the wild world of work, failure is actually the secret weapon that’ll help you achieve long-term success. Here’s why.

failure isn’t the end – it’s a starting point for success

Let’s get this out of the way: failing doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of the line. It’s just a part of the journey. If anything, failure can be the starting point for your next great chapter in business.

In business, especially, setbacks happen all the time. Maybe your startup didn’t take off, or your last project at work didn’t hit the mark. But here’s the kicker: that doesn’t mean you’re done for. It means you’ve just learned a ton about what doesn’t work. And now, you’re in the perfect position to try something new, smarter, and more refined.

Take the example of Airbnb. They faced rejection after rejection before becoming the multi-billion-dollar platform they are today. The founders were failing forward with every pitch that got shot down. The key takeaway here? They didn’t give up after a failure; they used each “no” to improve and push forward.

perfectionism: the quiet career killer

Who’s guilty of trying to get everything perfect before you press send, make a move, or take a risk? Yeah, we’ve all been there, waiting for the stars to align before making our big career moves. But here’s the thing: perfectionism isn’t your friend—it’s your career killer.

If you wait until everything is just right, you’ll never get anywhere. Think about it: what’s the worst that could happen? You fail? Well, guess what? You were going to fail at some point anyway. But the beautiful part of failure is that it shows you exactly what needs tweaking.

If you’re working on a business idea, an important presentation, or a big pitch, perfectionism could stop you from ever putting it out into the world. Instead of waiting until it’s perfect, release it, learn from it, and make the next version even better. The more you fail, the more you improve.

Photo Credit:PERVAHUMAN

the fear of failure: why you should overcome it in business

Failing is one thing. But letting the fear of failure stop you from moving forward? That’s a whole different ball game.

The fear of failure is often far worse than the actual thing itself. It's the thing that holds us back from pitching that idea, asking for a raise, or taking on a new challenge. You know that little voice that whispers, “What if this goes wrong?” Yeah, that voice is the real problem. It’s the one that keeps you stuck in your comfort zone and stops you from stepping up and trying new things.

The truth? You will fail at some point. But you’ll also learn something invaluable every time you do. And, when you can embrace failure rather than fear it, you’ll be surprised at how many doors open up.

Think of it this way: When you fear failure, you’re not just fearing the setback—you’re also missing out on the potential lessons and growth that come with it. The best professionals in business know this. Take Grace Beverley, for example—her early ventures were riddled with failures, but she learned, adapted, and became a pioneer in activewear. Her epic fails were actually stepping stones.

epic fails = major lessons for business growth

Epic fails are never as bad as they seem in the moment. In fact, they often turn out to be some of the most important lessons in your career and business journey.

Let’s talk about the classic business “fail” – the product launch that flopped. You know the one, where you thought this was the game-changer, but... nothing happened. Well, guess what? That flop is actually a goldmine of insight. Maybe the product wasn’t right for your audience, or the marketing wasn’t up to scratch. Now you know. And now, you can pivot and do better next time.

The key is to take a step back and ask, What did I learn from this? Failure offers you the opportunity to fail forward, meaning you don’t just wallow in your mistakes, you analyse them, adjust your approach, and move on with more knowledge and experience.

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the art of resilience in business: bouncing back better

Resilience is one of those skills that’s absolutely essential for success in business. You need it to handle the lows, the setbacks, and those definitely not Instagrammable moments.

But here’s the thing: resilience isn’t just about bouncing back after a failure. It’s about bouncing forward. In other words, you come back stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the next hurdle. Every failure you experience builds up your mental and emotional muscle, giving you the strength to face whatever comes next.

In business, resilience could be the difference between giving up after your first failed venture and keeping going until you find the one that works. In your career, it could mean picking yourself back up after a major setback and continuing to show up every day, ready to learn and grow.

Remember, failure is not an enemy—it’s the best teacher you’ll ever have. So embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you forward.

failing forward in your business: the secret to long-term success

Whether you're running your own business or trying to climb the corporate ladder, failing forward is your ticket to long-term success. Instead of fearing failure, look at it as a natural and essential part of the process. The more you fail, the more you learn, and the more equipped you’ll be to tackle bigger challenges in the future.

So, the next time you face an epic fail in your career or business, don’t hide under the covers or hit the panic button. Get up, brush yourself off, and embrace the lessons that come with it. The world is full of epic success stories, and behind each one, you’ll find a whole lot of failure. It’s the people who embrace their failures, learn from them, and keep moving forward that come out on top.

And that’s how you fail forward to success.

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