For me, it is the most liberating thing in the world, to not fear failure. Getting a business or an idea off the ground is not easy. However, our chances of success are limited if we focus on what the result will be if we fail.
I am not afraid of failure. I am not afraid of what others may think if I get it wrong. In worst case scenario I am not afraid of going bankrupt. It is due to the fact that I am not afraid of failure that I try ideas. I see the internet as one big educational playground to learn in. You test an idea, trial it, experiment with it, if it is not working change it, reign it in, mold it, develop it and learn. Of course, I have made mistakes along the way, some of which I regret, however, I would never have learnt these lessons if I was afraid to fail.
One successful British entrepreneur, Peter Jones, (who I am pictured with) is also creator of the TV show American inventor, often states that “there is no such thing as failure, only feedback”. He is right. No matter how many times we get things wrong, we are one step closer to getting it right. The idea or business that we get right, which leads to success may not be the same idea you originally started with, but, the lessons that you have learnt along the way enable you to refine your ideas and make them better, stronger.
I read a quotes yesterday which really inspired me:
“Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed.” – Lloyd Jones
Awesome quote. I always talk about how we ‘live life, once’. There is no way in the world, ever, that I want to regret not taking a risk, because I was afraid to fail.
Now, I hear what many of you may be saying, ‘That’s all very well nice and positive but reality is you don’t have a family, you may not have a mortgage and therefore if I fail I have more to loose’. I certainly hear, respect and appreciate this comment, however, you can take measured risks that are within your means to fail. The fear of loosing face, our pride, can be the greatest fear of all. Come up with an idea, put it online, chase it, see what happens and don’t be afraid to fail. A great case in hand is: Project 1p which I have mentioned previously. This guy ha started with 1p, he is trading it for bigger things and, at the end of the year, he will see what he has. Great idea, why not. Worst that could happen is that nobody wants to trade!
The most exciting thing that I have learn’t, ever, is that when you are not afraid to fail, and so take a risk, whatever the outcome it always leads to opportunity.
When Tribewanted was launched, the worst possible outcome could have been bankruptcy. However, as a result of Tribewanted a number of couples have met and got married, there have even been babies! Alongside the fact that over $2million (Fj) dollars have been invested in the local economy.
When I launched a personal project, the goal being to not drink any alcohol for 12 months, I caved in after 3 months, but, along the way I learnt so much about my body, about my mind, about what I was capable of, and gained support along the way from people who have become good friends. Three months was pretty good going in my eyes!
When I launched thenerve.tv, the wrong idea at the wrong time, which, ultimately, with great sadness, had to be closed down. Nevertheless, literally, as a result of launching thenerve.tv I was offered a job at one of the biggest production companies in the world, Endemol, which gave me an incredible opportunity to gain many contacts and learn. I still have an abundance of friends who originally signed up to this project who I often given advice to regarding their own ideas.
Whilst at Endemol, I launched mission to see if we could convince Channel Five, to hand over an hour of programming to one member of the British public. Channel Five were not convinced, nevertheless, it opened up a huge world of possibility when I was invited in to meet the Channel Five team.
I was thinking about an idea that I had, a few years back, to see whether the public could form and manage a band, from scratch, internet technology had moved on since the original idea and so, I wanted to give it a shot. As a result of now being afraid of failure I was invited on The Difference Engine incubator course, was given start up funds and an incredible opportunity to meet with mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. I would have never had this opportunity if I had not sought to develop the idea from the first time round. I am still in talks with a number of people about this project and, one day, who knows?
As you can see, I have tried a number of things, many entrepreneurs have, you don’t get luck on the first go, or the second, or even the third. However, what I have learnt is this, that failure ALWAYS leads to opportunity, by talking a risk and getting yourself out there you never know what is around the corner, so, never be afraid to fail as you never know what your idea may lead to.