Sometimes Failure Isn’t as Scary as You Think

The trick is figuring out what type of failures you can live with

Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

Failure sucks.

Sadly, risk is inevitable if you want to be successful. We all have to learn to live with some risk.

The trick is knowing what type of failure we can live with. That tells us what risks we should take.

What type of failure can we live with?

James Clear has a very clear answer to that question (pun intended).

“When failure is reversible, act quickly. When failure is irreversible, think carefully.”-James Clear

There is a phenomenon known as impact bias. Humans tend to overestimate the intensity and duration of our emotions surrounding the outcome of events. That’s why we often think failure will be worse than it is.

Is there a small risk you have been thinking about taking? Maybe you want to start a new side hustle, a new job, a new hobby, etc. Really think about it.

How bad will it be if you fail?

Would that failure be reversible?

If you’re comfortable with those answers, take the risk. Low-cost risks often have the biggest rewards.