Broccoli & a Dog in the Kitchen (or, Failing Forward)
I assume I’m not the only one whose dog is always underfoot when I’m cooking.
While I often fear I'm going to fall over him and break my neck (or his), I'm constantly cooing at him about how much he must love me, to be standing so close. And even though he's clearly rooting for my failure--for me to drop something edible--I also respect the reminder he offers me alongside his inconvenient and dangerous habit:
It's okay if I fail. Because I can always fail forward.
Failing forward means using a setback as an opportunity. Like Yeller would do if a piece of the broccoli I was chopping flew off the cutting board and plummeted into his waiting mouth.
I sometimes accuse my dog of being a messenger from above. And turning my failures into his opportunities is one of the reasons.
Yeller standing underfoot by the stove reminds me that every setback is a chance to change the NEXT outcome by adjusting my method. Him scurrying around and shoving his nose into a slightly better angle to increase his chances of future success isn't exactly a subtle hint. (Keep trying and your success rate increases substantially over time! Wear them down!)
In business, and in life, sometimes we let the frustrations and setbacks talk us out of our determination to hit a goal.
A frustrating day, a mistake, a failure to follow through or to foresee a problem can certainly put you in a funk.
But what if you make a decision that every time you drop the ball (or the broccoli), you're going to fail forward instead?
What does your day look like if yesterday's letdown becomes today's inspiration?
I work with clients in all stages of building and growing their businesses, but one thing they all have in common is the determination to take today's raw materials and convert them into tomorrow's success.
Whether today's raw material is an errant broccoli floret or a plan that fell a little flat, think like Yeller - reposition yourself, stick your nose all the way into the slim crevice between the stove and the kneecap, remember why you're doing this, and then hold your position and get ready to snatch in midair the outcome you've been fighting for.
Thinking about changing your outcome or output by adjusting your method? If your goals include updating your website copy, new digital or print ad copy or email marketing, then send me (not Yeller) a message through my contact form for some additional inspiration and assistance. Broccoli not included.
#failforward #mindset #copywriting #DigitalMarketing #poreovercopy
