The Avoidance of Failure is costly
Learn from Babies
American culture often prioritizes success over the avoidance of failure, which can negatively affect future generations. Our children are increasingly being taught that failure equals a personal reflection of their abilities and character. However, life is not simply a win-or-lose situation; it should be experienced with passion and conviction. The obsession with avoiding failure, no matter how small, has resulted in numerous unwarranted failures.
Our culture often views failure as a negative experience. However, failure is simply a part of the process of not achieving a task in an attempt. Learning how to fail in a constructive and positive manner starts at a young age. Children should learn about Thomas Edison, who believed that failure is merely a step toward success. It's important for children to understand that failure is not a personal flaw.
Children should be taught to focus on learning rather than avoiding failure. We must teach the positive link between mistakes and learning. The response to failure is too often finding the culprit. There may not be a culprit. The attitude of finding a culprit does not help because it requires focusing away from the solution. The focus on avoiding failure inhibits learning. We should learn from babies. Babies do not avoid walking once they fall. Babies repeatedly fall in their attempts to walk.
We must create psychologically safe environments where integrity, honesty, compassion, understanding, cooperation, and strength-building are encouraged. Psychologically safe environments produce more successes but may also permit more failures. Learning occurs best when a psychologically safe environment is present. This environment generates more questions, and those questions will ultimately lead to greater success. Failure is a part of life rather than a judgment because within each failure can be found a marvelous discovery. Look to see the truth – not the fault.