Fail Fast, Fail Often: How Losing Can Help You Win Paperback – December 26, 2013

The word "failure" is often carelessly used and so I begin with my own opinion that -- with rare exception -- a failure is a consequence from which nothing of value is learned. This seems to have been what Thomas Edison had in mind when correcting a colleague who deemed an experiment deemed a "failure." It was, in fact, a valuable learning lesson, one that increased their knowledge of what doesn't work. In this context, I am again reminded of a passage in Paul Schoemaker's latest book, Brilliant Mistakes: "The key question companies need to address is not `[begin italics] Should [end italics] we make mistakes?' but rather `[begin italics] Which [end italics] mistakes should we make in order to test our deeply held assumptions?'"This is what Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz seem to have in mind when observing, "People who are happy and successful expend less time planning and more time acting. They get out into the world and try new things, make mistakes, and in doing so, benefit from unexpected experiences and opportunities" that they would not otherwise have. The key is to learn how to "make small changes to what they [begin italics] do [end italics]...to break free from habitual behaviors and initiate new adventures, act boldly with minimal preparation, and leverage their] strengths for rapid change." Babineux and Krumboltz agree with Helen Keller, as do I: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." That said, neither she nor they recommend placing one's self in harm's way by taking foolish, impulsive risks. Be proactive, yes, but focus on opportunities that require "smart action."These are among the dozens of business subjects and issues of special interest and value to me, also listed to indicate the scope of Babineaux and Krumboltz''s coverage.o Focus on Opportunities, Not Problems (Pages 3-5)o A Long Bike Ride Leads to a Great Idea, and, The Joyful Tipping Point (9-13)o Don't Let a Day Pass Without Having Fun (14-18)o Mapping Joy (19-21)o Fail Fast to Learn Fast (27-31)o Be a Beginner, Not an Expert (31-34)o Failure Is What You [Do or Don't] Make of It (37-38)o Act on Your Curiosity (45-49)o Five Keys to Curiosity (49-50)o Test Your Assumptions (60-67)o Discover Your Success (72-75)o Bigger Isn't Always Better (80-85)o The Power of Small Wins (85-90)Note: Peter Sims also has a great deal of value to say about this in his book, Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoverieso Build on Your Strengths (92-94)o See the World Like an Anthropologist, and Be Inquisitive (101-110)o Too Much Thinking Can Stop You in Your Tracks (122-126)o Overcome Procrastination (155-160)o Ten Ways to Diversify Social Relationships (171-177)o Tips for Introverts (177-179)I commend Babineaux and Krumboltz on their skillful use of several reader-friendly devices that include boxed mini-commentaries that are inserted throughout their lively and eloquent narrative; dozens of relevant quotations (e.g. John Horn's observation, "Why we play as children is not because it is our work or because it is how we learn, thought bother statements are true; we play because we are wired for joy, it is imperative as human beings"); checklists of key points; and a Call to Action at the conclusion of Chapters 1-9 that will help readers to apply material that is most relevant to their needs, interests, goals, and resources as well as to those of the given enterprise.In the Preface, Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz make a promise that they certainly keep when providing an abundance of information, insights, and counsel: "Each chapter includes a discussion of cutting-edge research, inspiring stories from the lives of famous and ordinary people alike, and specific steps to put ideas into practice to enact immediate [and beneficial] change in your life." The "Fail Fast" approach they propose can help almost anyone to transform their life through small, immediate actions. "When you embrace [strategic, enlightened] failure rather than resist it, every moment provides the opportunity" to learn, grow, stretch, stumble and then recover...and thereby learn what can help to achieve personal success and professional development. Bravo!

What I expected: I picked This book up as a bit of a perfectionist. Of late I've been noticing 'over analysis paralysis' and anxiety plaguing me. At the same time the books namesake principle is one I've heard often. I pIcked this book up hoping for a cure.This book delivered a good read with infectious enthusiasm and we'll summerises points.It tackles it's philosophy from a business perspective using real life examples (always a plus). Each chapter was engaging, giving simple and straightforward steps and suggestions. Applying a few principles from it has put me in a better mood, more capable of tackling problems and less fearfull.I'm happy I picked this up and intend to take action in many ways suggested within.Highly recommend

I bought Luck is No Accident for a paper I was writing on the topic of career counseling. I enjoyed that and then a career counselor recommended Fail Fast, Fail Often. It's help me put aside my perfectionism, which makes me spend too much time on tasks that could be accomplished in 1/3 of the time. It's also given me the courage to fail because you can't succeed without it. I have read about certain principles in other books, but the easy way it's presented in the book, plus the examples of working with clients, really brings the principles home and inspires me to apply them - especially the micro win actions you can take right now.The book has given me permission to fail, choose joy, have fun and feel safe knowing it's all part of the process in creating a career and life I feel great about.

There have been so many times when I wanted to do something, I knew I should be doing it, it would make me grow as a person and financially but I was just too scared and chickened out.After reading this book, and giving myself permission to fail I know longer have that problem and enjoy just diving in.This book was a real eye-opener for me.To the authors, excellent book! Truly a game changer to get to the next level. I will use this advice from the book to go on and accomplish many things.Thanks!

There were some good ideas, but I found that about one third of the way through the book drifted into simple platitudes about getting going & just doing it. Overall - probably not a book I'd recommend.

I enjoyed this book very much- got in on audible and paperback. It encourages you to get out there and get started, and learn from the process! It helps you to believe that you can achieve your goals, and gives you support along the way. Great book!

A great explaination for how to use failure as a stepping stone to make faster progress towards success.3 great takeawaysQuality comes from Quantity:If you want Quality... try and try again till you get it right or better. we can't get or do a quality job just by doing the task once.If it worth doing, do it poorly and get betterNobody became an expert just by doing a task once.The best plans unexecutred are worthless compared to an average plan that is executedIf we Try to get every step right before taking the first step, we will never walk. Learn from how babies walk.A must read for the over thinkers, over analyzers, and procrastors.Wiliam TehInvestor | Author | EntrepreneurTTTrends Investments

I love this book. It reminds me that judging something I'm doing is completely useless most of the time. I want to enjoy my art and my writing as labors of love and self-expression, revise, practice and practice without scrutinizing merits or worth on the market. A really helpful book for students of any creative expression. It reminds us what kids know and adults have perhaps forgotten. Practice for the fun of it.