There’s no such thing as failure.

Let’s dive into a topic that strikes a chord with every business owner: failure.

That word alone can stir up a lot of negative emotions and thoughts, but I promise you, by the end of this episode, you’ll see it in a whole new light.

No Such Thing as Failure, Only Feedback

One of the core principles of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is the idea that there’s no such thing as failure, only feedback. Just imagine if that became your mantra. Think about the positive impact it would have on your actions and mindset. Instead of dreading failure, you’d start to see every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Feedback as Feedforward

I like to think of feedback as “feedforward.”

When something doesn’t go as planned, it’s not about dwelling on the past; it’s about taking that experience and using it to inform your next decisions and actions. This episode is all about embracing that mindset shift and understanding how feedback can be a powerful tool for growth.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

You might be familiar with Carol Dweck’s work on fixed and growth mindsets.

This concept plays a big role in how we perceive failure. A fixed mindset sees failure as a dead end, while a growth mindset views it as a valuable learning experience. If we can adopt a growth mindset, we can turn every failure into a stepping stone toward success.

Thomas Edison’s Enlightening Mindset

Thomas Edison famously said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”   The sentiment is powerful. It’s about not being discouraged by setbacks but seeing them as part of the process. This mindset can transform how we approach challenges in our business.

Real-Life Examples

In the episode, I share 2 personal examples of when I was doing something in my business that didn’t quite work out the way I had expected.  I could have seen those as failures but they were actually filled with valuable feedback.

Changing Perspectives

Changing our perspective on failure can alter how we think, feel, and act. It’s about normalising mistakes and understanding that they’re part of the journey. If we’re not experiencing setbacks, we might be playing it too safe and missing out on growth opportunities.

4 Practical Tips for you:

1. Acknowledge Disappointment: It’s okay to feel disappointed when things don’t go as planned. Give yourself a moment to feel it, but don’t dwell on it.

2.  Ask, “What Do I Need to Learn?”: This primes your mind to find the lesson in the experience, helping you let go of negative emotions.

3. Reflect and Journal: Writing down your thoughts can help you process them and gain clarity.

4. Talk It Out: Discuss your experiences with a friend, coach, or business buddy. Sometimes, verbalising your thoughts can provide new insights.

Moving Forward

I encourage you to reflect on a recent or past experience you considered a failure.

-             How does it feel now?

-             What can you learn from it?

Allow yourself to shift your perspective and see the feedback as a gift. This mindset will lighten your emotional load and make the journey more enjoyable.

Share Your Journey

I’d love to hear how this resonates with you and helps you move forward in your business. Reach out to me via email, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook and share your reflections and learnings, using the links below.

Remember, there’s no such thing as failure, only feedback.

So let’s embrace this mindset and enjoy the quest of growing our businesses.

Until next time.

Best wishes

Osmaan

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