May 30, 20234 min read

The Failure Paradox: Is failing always bad or can it be useful?

This video and article are all about the paradox of failure. Why do we fear failing, and how can it actually be helpful and even necessary for success?

Success is a destination that most of us aspire to. I'm a musician, and sometimes success seems like the only important thing in my career. But the road to success is rarely smooth. It is almost always dotted with failures and setbacks. Paradoxically, it can actually be failure itself which leads us most directly to success. In this article, we'll explore why failure is not something to be avoided, but rather embraced as a necessary and transformative experience on the journey to achieving your goals.

Is failure bad?

Failure is a word that often carries negative connotations. It is associated with disappointment, setbacks, and frustration. Perhaps even more fatally, failure can feel like it reflects personal faults or inadequacies. As a musician, I know that fear of failure often creeps in when I perform a new piece or work on a new technique. This type of thinking is not only harmful, but doesn't reflect the full truth of the matter.

But actually, is failure bad? What if failure is not only necessary but also crucial for growth and success? Contrary to our natural instincts, failing is actually extremely important and can be a catalyst for achieving our goals.

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

Robert F. Kennedy

I've found that my harmonica playing improves much more when I embrace failure. So why is failure so important and how can it actually help you on the path to success?

Failure and learning

Failure provides invaluable lessons that success itself cannot offer. When we fail, we are forced to analyse our actions, approach and decision-making. We identify what went wrong and why it didn't work out as planned. This process of introspection allows us to learn from mistakes, make improvements and refine our strategies. In this sense, failure is a crucual part of the learning process.

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."

Henry Ford

In my practice regime, I try to focus on my weakest songs or techniques first. By prioritising these, I get the most out of my limited rehearsal time. This, of course, means failing many times along the way.

Innovation and creativity

Some of the greatest breakthroughs in history have arisen from failed attempts. Failure encourages us to push boundaries, think outside the box and explore alternative approaches. When faced with failure, we are motivated to find new solutions, challenge existing norms and unleash our creativity. Embracing failure can lead to unexpected discoveries and transformative ideas.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Thomas Edison

As a songwriter and musician, I know that my best work has often come from trying things that haven't been quite right, and then taking unexpected twists and turns to refine and improve them.

Redefining success

Failure also challenges our perception of success and encourages us to redefine it. Often, society portrays success as a linear journey without detours or stumbling blocks. It's easy to look at successful people and think it must have been easy for them. But did you know that Walt Disney was fired from his job at a newspaper because they said he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas"? Or that J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers before Bloomsbury published the first Harry Potter book? These failures remind us that success is not always a smooth path. Accepting failure pushes us to question conventional definitions of success and trust our own instincts even in the face of disinterest and discouragement.

Success also becomes more meaningful when it follows failure. Failure provides contrast, allowing us to fully appreciate and enjoy the taste of success. It instils a sense of gratitude and perspective. By embracing failure, we cultivate a greater appreciation for the hard work required to achieve our goals.

"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour."

Truman Capote

I know that my favourite musicians didn't always achieve success on the first try. In fact some of them never even achieved commercial success during their lifetime. And the best songs are often instilled with melancholy, heartache, or the pains of past failures. Without the failures, would these songs ever have been written?

Why failure is great

In a society that often shies away from failure, it is crucial to recognise the profound importance of failure in our personal and professional lives. As the examples above have shown, embracing failure helps us to learn, grow, and evolve as people. It fuels creativity, nurtures resilience and redefines our perception of success. So don't fear failure. Embrace it as an integral part of the journey towards achieving your dreams.

Let me leave you with one last quote for you about the importance of failure:

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Nelson Mandela

You may also enjoy this video on the related idea of deliberate practice.