Fail Fast, Fail Often

1. Embrace failure as a path to success

Successful people take action as quickly as possible, even though they may perform badly.

Failure leads to growth. Successful individuals actively seek opportunities to face their limitations, viewing fear and unpreparedness as signs of being in the optimal space for growth. They understand that significant accomplishments are often preceded by numerous mistakes and failures. This approach allows for rapid learning and exposure to new opportunities.

Learn from mistakes. Examples from various fields illustrate this principle:

• Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld test thousands of joke ideas in small venues before perfecting their national shows
• Pixar's creative process involves going from "suck" to "non-suck" through numerous revisions
• Howard Schultz's creation of Starbucks evolved through many experiments and adjustments

By giving yourself permission to fail, you can quickly weed out bad ideas and reach the place where real work and innovation occur.

2. Act on your curiosity to discover new opportunities

Your curiosity provides a built-in mechanism for both discovering and pursuing new possibilities.

Curiosity drives innovation. Successful innovators continually act on their curiosity, exposing themselves to new experiences, places, and people. This approach allows them to recognize opportunities that others might miss and take advantage of them. Research shows that innovative thinkers often grow up in environments that encourage pursuing interests without regard for conventional measures of achievement.

Follow your interests. To harness the power of curiosity:

• Trust your excitement and allow it to propel you into action
• Explore unfamiliar topics, even if they seem unrelated to your current goals
• Engage in small, immediate actions like visiting a new store or reading an unfamiliar book
• Remember that curiosity has an expiration date – act on it promptly
• Use curiosity as a source of energy and motivation for learning and growth

By acting on your curiosity, you open yourself to unexpected discoveries and life-changing experiences.

3. Take small, immediate actions instead of waiting for the perfect plan

Instead of defining and elaborating on all the grand things you wish to accomplish, we want you to bring your thoughts down to earth and consider what you can do in the here and now.

Small wins create momentum. Research shows that breaking complex problems into smaller, achievable tasks clarifies actions, relieves doubt, and reduces complexity. This approach, known as the "small wins" strategy, involves taking a series of controllable, modest-sized actions that produce visible results. Each small win sets things in motion, revealing new opportunities and resources.

Act small, think big. To implement the small wins approach:

• Focus on what you can do today rather than long-term plans
• Break large projects into bite-sized, easily achievable goals
• Celebrate small accomplishments to maintain motivation
• Use small actions to test ideas and gather feedback quickly
• Be flexible and open to emerging possibilities
• Leverage your current strengths and resources for immediate action

By focusing on small, immediate actions, you can overcome paralysis, build momentum, and discover unexpected paths to success.

4. Leverage your strengths and current resources to move forward

The way to avoid getting bogged down by big decisions is to shrink them to a more manageable size.

Use what you have. Successful entrepreneurs tend to capitalize on their current resources – skills, knowledge, and social connections – rather than waiting for perfect conditions. This approach allows for quick action with minimal risk and cost. By focusing on immediate, small steps based on your current strengths, you can move forward without getting overwhelmed by long-term planning.

Shrink decisions for action. To leverage your strengths and resources:

• Identify your current skills, knowledge, and social connections
• Look for opportunities in your present work or social groups
• Break big decisions into smaller, exploratory steps
• Ask yourself, "Am I willing to try this to find out more?"
• Focus on immediate actions rather than long-term commitments
• Use your existing network to gather information and support

By shrinking decisions and focusing on your current strengths, you can take immediate action and discover new opportunities along the way.

5. Observe your environment with fresh eyes to spark innovation

Opportunities are often things you haven't noticed the first time around.

Cultivate beginner's mind. Successful innovators act like anthropologists, carefully observing their environment and people's behaviors with fresh, curious eyes. This approach, sometimes called "vuja de," involves seeing familiar things in new and powerful ways. By paying attention to contextual details, you can recognize opportunities for innovation that others might miss.

Practice active observation. To develop your observational skills:

• Look at your surroundings as if seeing them for the first time
• Pay attention to people's behaviors, interactions, and challenges
• Notice how technology and artifacts shape experiences
• Observe nature and aesthetic qualities in your environment
• Keep an observations and questions log to record your insights
• Use multisensory stimulation to enhance your observations
• Practice the "30-Second Snapshot" exercise to build awareness

By cultivating a habit of keen observation, you can uncover innovative ideas and solutions in everyday situations.

6. Overcome analysis paralysis by shrinking decisions and taking action

The best way to get in the mood to do something is by doing it.

Action beats overthinking. Research shows that excessive analysis and information gathering can lead to confusion, indecision, and inaction. To overcome this, focus on taking small, immediate steps rather than trying to plan everything in advance. By acting quickly, you can gather real-world feedback, adjust your course, and build momentum.

Strategies for action. To overcome analysis paralysis:

• Shrink big decisions into smaller, exploratory steps
• Use the "One Yes Trumps Three No's" rule to counteract negativity bias
• Consider the cost of inaction when weighing decisions
• Find a key "springboard" action to simplify complex situations
• Don't wait for the perfect mood – act to change how you feel
• Develop "grit" by persevering through challenges
• Combat procrastination by spending time daily on important projects

By focusing on immediate action rather than perfect planning, you can overcome resistance and make real progress towards your goals.

7. Build a diverse community to expand your perspectives and opportunities

There is no more powerful way to enrich your life and encounter the unknown than by having meaningful relationships with a wide range of people.

Diversify your network. Research shows that innovative ideas often arise from interactions with people outside one's usual social circle. By building relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, you can access new knowledge, perspectives, and opportunities. This "idea networking" approach often leads to serendipitous discoveries and breakthroughs.

Expand your social circle. To build a diverse community:

• Meet a new person each week from a different background
• Sustain contact with old friends and colleagues
• Form a "Mastermind Group" with diverse members for mutual support
• Become a teacher or mentor to share your knowledge
• Attend events or join groups outside your usual interests
• Use social media to connect with people from different fields
• Travel or live in different locations to broaden your experiences

By actively building a diverse community, you can enrich your life, gain new perspectives, and increase your chances of encountering transformative opportunities.

Last updated: February 4, 2025