Understanding the Difference Between Mistakes and Failures
October 12, 2016
By Brian Maynor
If you read any professional blogs, newsfeeds or journals you’ve undoubtedly noticed a lot of focus is being placed on failure.
Whether it’s ‘how to fail the right way’ or ‘failing often is a good thing’ researchers would like us to believe that by simply embracing failure, and the fact that failure is normal, we can somehow change the way we experience failure. Let’s be honest, no matter how you try to frame it there is nothing fun about failure.
If you read the studies carefully and look beyond the buzzwords you will notice that none of this research is actually looking at failure. What they are actually talking about instead are mistakes, and there the two are not interchangeable. Here are a few of the main differences between mistakes and failures:
1. Failure is traumatic. When you fail at something it is a devastating, embarrassing, expensive and all around awful experience. Plus you learn nothing. By its very definition failure means ‘lack of success’ on any level so how could there be anything positive about it? Therefore instead of failing often you should try to never fail if at all possible.
2. Mistakes are marvelous. While they may be embarrassing and feel devastating in the moment, mistakes are correctable and an opportunity to learn, grow and become better at something. None of those exist with failure.
3. Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you like them or not, whether they are careless or uneducated, we all make mistakes and we will continue to make mistakes as long as we are alive.
4. Accepting mistakes can be a double-edged sword. It’s healthy and helpful to accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes because it soothes our inner critic, but you want to avoid buying into the belief that your skills and abilities are fixed. This ‘fixed mind-set’ can cause us to avoid situations where we perceive the possibility of failure stunting our growth and development.
5. Focus on feedback. To really gain anything positive from a mistake you have to look past the act itself and pay close attention to the feedback. That is where the real benefits lie. In order to learn from your mistakes you have to engage in a conversation about them and accept correction, criticism and admonishment. It’s all part of the process. Without that component would you even know you had made a mistake?
Failure is word that is used a lot in the professional development world because it’s sexy, scary and intriguing but in reality it’s ultimately misleading. What they are really talking about are mistakes, and the two are very different things that should not be used interchangeably.
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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
