I would love to tell you I only succeed. Not a chance. I “fail” more often than I want. That’s because I experiment a lot. However, my experiments don’t line up in neat little test tubes like this image. Too often, I let an experiment run for too long. That’s when I have to dig myself out of that failure hole so I can find some success.
Not all failures are the same. I think of my approach this way:
- Assess how big a failure this action/inaction is.
- Stop digging.
- Create experiments with much shorter feedback loops.
Let’s start with how I assess my failure to see how big it is.
How Big a Failure Is This?
I can’t discuss risks without discussing the possible value associated with that risk. This image is a personal (as opposed to corporate) version of the risk and value matrix from Manage Your Project Portfolio.
I think of failure as a continuum. On one side are the little “failures” that don’t have large risks or consequences. The risks to me are minimal. Forgetting to wash the blueberries before I eat them is a small risk to me. On the other hand, not eating colorful food is a much larger risk to my overall health. Failing to wash blueberries is a (very!) small failure.
A medium failure might be when I don’t publish a weekly blog post. I think of that as a medium failure because the immediate consequences are not a huge risk. I can (and have!) skipped some weeks for this blog. But if I skip too many weeks, it’s more difficult for me to then continue. Worse, my (too small) readership might decrease. While there are longer-term risks, the immediate risk isn’t too high.
However, missing my regular exercise is a big failure. That’s because my vertigo loves to take advantage of any break in my routine.
Each of these examples is how I know I’m edging close to that failure black hole, where one failure can cause a cascading effect.
The bigger the failure, the faster I need to stop digging.
Stop Digging the Failure Hole
Years ago, I heard Jerry Weinberg say at one point, “If you’re in a hole, stop digging.” (I’m sure it’s in a book somewhere, and I’m not going to stop writing to look it up. If you know, please let me know. Thanks.)
That “Stop digging” idea is excellent advice. But too often, I don’t know what to start. That’s where the idea of experiments with shorter feedback loops helps me a lot.
Experiments with Short Feedback Loops
In general, the shorter my feedback loop, the less risk I have. That’s because that very first step and feedback have very few risks to me, and often a ton of value. I might need a little courage for that first step, but probably not.
I don’t see how we can be successful all the time. However, some of my colleagues and clients fail a lot more than they succeed. Often, that’s because they have a huge goal and very few feedback loops on the way to achieving that goal.
Instead, consider your risks and value of an experiment, especially with a short feedback loop. Make sure to stop digging so you don’t reinforce problems. Let’s learn early and create more success.
That’s the question of the week this week: How do we dig ourselves out of failure and find some success?