Project: Failing Forward

Whenever we interview one of the Risk-Takers on The Green Couch and their story unfolds, their definition of success slowly comes to the surface. Many of which have boldly stated, there is no such thing as an overnight success.

If anyone would tell you otherwise, they either have not found success or they have encountered one long, treacherous night. A night more extensive than the average 8 hours; perhaps one of 8 years?

From the concept to the creation, to the failed experiments and finally the product or service, more than a blink of an eye has passed. Moreover, while some of your experimental components may have fallen into place unintentionally to your benefit, none of your hard work was an accident.

The further you pursue your vision, the further chances you have of meeting it face-to-face.

But what happens when those failed experiments turn your trajectory off course? How can we keep the momentum going, so even though we won’t achieve overnight success we can fail forward?

It won’t be easy, but ask any of our Risk-Takers, and they’ll tell you the ongoing rewards are worth the ongoing time they “serve.”

• Find a mentor: It doesn’t have to be someone in your industry; just someone wiser, someone more experienced who is willing to sit down with you over lunch every few weeks to talk shop and life.

• Ease up on yourself: Remember, it’s okay to be wrong. If you’re always right, you’re not doing the right thing in life. Never settle for something that doesn’t challenge you.

• Set up a schedule: Whether it’s every day or every week, set an alert/alarm/reminder for you, dedicated to specific projects that need your time that are lacking and need more focus.

• Embrace change: In the absence of change is the absence of innovation. Use every roadblock, technical upgrade or trend as an opportunity to stretch your imagination. 

• Get street smart: If you can’t afford to travel or time away, invest in a good book to broaden your mind and refresh your senses. A new perspective from an unknown source always helps see life from outside the city limits. 

• Understand what failure is: Failure isn’t the absence of success. It isn’t meeting your expectations, deadlines or the status quo. Failure is not trying.

• Understand what failing forward is: Failing forward is using every “No” as, No way am I going to let this stop me from succeeding and reaching my goal. This failure showed me how not to do it – not that I shouldn’t do it.”

Fail forward, fail onward!

The Green Couch

Project: Your Greatest Competition

Don’t let the competition dictate whether or not you will do something; unless that is to dictate that you will work harder to be better.

Suppose your alleged rivals are wearing black, do not be intimidated to wear black for fear there will be naysayers and other spectators that question why you are the runner up.

Be confident in what you do and even if someone is reaching for the same result, do the same thing, just do it differently. Do it your way. No matter whom you compare yourself to, The biggest threat to your ideas is yourself. Think big thoughts and be bold enough to share them. 

Three tips to feel confident against your biggest competition (that’s you):

Be Knowledgeable: Doesn’t it feel good to begin a conversation where you know what you are talking about? Don’t just pursue what you like in life; pursue what you love you will have the power to retain the knowledge and hold a passionate conversation.

Be Open to Knowledge: There is always something new to learn and always someone who can teach you something new. Confidence isn’t knowing it all, it’s knowing who you are in what you do. And if you want to improve what you do, you’re going to have to understand that that what you do might change.

Be Bold: You’re going to make mistakes, misunderstand and have miscommunications no matter how much your knowledgeable about something.  Keep growing your idea and sharing it boldly. A baby doesn’t stop walking no matter how many times it falls down. It looks for his or her destination point and runs for it until it grows into the proficient toddler walker. Learn to be like that baby. Don’t let shaky legs or a shaky voice shake you up. Set your eyes and heart upon your destination and don’t give up.

And if you’re lucky, just like a baby has loving people cheering him or her on, make sure you have your cheer squad. And make sure, as your greatest competition, you’re part of that squad! Because we definitely are!

-The Green Couch Project