Stacey-Ann Morris, Ed. M. was formerly with the Human Rights Commission, and has also been an active volunteer with her local church. While earning a graduate degree at Harvard University, she was the winner of the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute award in the Technology, Innovation and Education program.
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Fail fast and fail early
by Stacey-Ann Morris
FAIL. We live in a society which cringes to the sound of that four-letter word.
For a good percentage of my adolescent years, I considered failure as a taboo. I refused or delayed on tackling new opportunities with the fear of failure.
“What will people think? How will I bounce back after falling?”
I desired the need to play it safe. In my mind, by dealing the same cards, I would know what to expect. However, over the past couple of years, I have learned that failure is an opportunity to go back to the drawing board, and TRY AGAIN. The earlier you learn this, the better it will be. Trust me.
This past year, I was enrolled in a design-thinking course at Harvard University. My group designed a prototype assuming it would be the next best thing since slice bread. However, we quickly learned we had it all wrong – especially after testing the prototype on our targeted audience. We went back to square one, and push out several iterations. It was a shot to our egos. After long nights, which included testing, assessing, redesigning, coffee, arguments, and compromises, we learned something invaluable: failure is life’s greatest teacher.
As a community, we need to teach our kids that failure is OK. It is OK to start again. It is OK to stumble because, in an essence, you cannot realize your weaknesses if you don’t fail. The earlier you learn, the better. From my conversations from employers, the biggest problem they see in the workplace with new graduates is their “big head” thinking. I totally understand that attitude. Graduating from undergrad, many of us thought (and still do think) that we are entitled to certain benefits, and we will save the day with all our newly acquired knowledge from post-secondary institutions. However, in the 21st century, many innovative companies are seeking individuals, who have experienced failures and successes, understanding that those who battle through failures have irreplaceable experience and perseverance.
In 2007, I received a big-wake up call on my first day on the job after graduation. My supervisor at the time asked me to write a press release, and handed me a distressing deadline. Initially, I was thrilled, and welcomed this new assignment as an opportunity to showcase my knowledge and talent. However, as she left my cubicle, I quickly thought, “Wait! How do you write a press release?” You would think with a Communications undergraduate degree under my belt, this would have been such an easy task. But, unfortunately, my degree did not prepare me for that big test. And, despite the fact that I spent an hour googling “How to write a Press Release”, I failed at my first assignment. Luckily my supervisor cared enough my learning development, and several drafts later, I learned the right way.
I have seen kids and teens struggle with tackling new opportunities for the fear of failure. As parents or mentors, we need to help our young people push through failure and encourage them through their difficulties. We need to share our “failure stories” so they can actually visualize the “falling seven times, and rising on eight” proverb. Let’s be TRANSPARENT with ALL our experiences. Additionally, I strongly believe in the power of words. For instance, there is so much power in the three-letter word “YET”.
“You haven’t been able to play that instrument without mistakes…yet. But with more practice, you will get better.”
“You may not understand this math problem yet, but trust me you are getting there.”
The word “yet” epitomizes a growth mindset. In a growth mindset, individuals believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication despite challenges. It creates the idea of learning over time, while treating the brain like a muscle. Don’t believe me? Check out Sesame Street and Janelle Monae’s catchy track, “The Power of Yet.”
Failure is important, and is needed. Let’s encourage our young people to be disruptive innovators by taking chances and learn how to fail forward!