Defaulting to failure

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
- Winston Churchill

As an entrepreneur, I've learned that failure is not only a natural part of the journey, but also a necessary step towards success. In fact, I've come to adopt a philosophy that I like to call "default to failure." It's a mindset that assumes that every project, every idea, and every venture will fail unless proven otherwise.

At first glance, this approach might seem pessimistic or even counter-intuitive. After all, shouldn't we be optimistic about our chances of success? Shouldn't we believe in ourselves and our abilities? Of course, we should. But there's a difference between believing in oneself and blindly assuming that everything will work out.

Defaulting to failure means recognising that the road to success is littered with pitfalls, obstacles, and unforeseen challenges. It means acknowledging that most ideas don't pan out, that most startups fail, and that even the best-laid plans can go awry. By accepting this reality, we can better prepare ourselves for the inevitable setbacks and learn to embrace failure as a valuable learning experience.

But doesn't this mindset lead to a lack of confidence or motivation? Quite the opposite. By defaulting to failure, we're actually freed up to take more risks, experiment with new approaches, and push the boundaries of what's possible. We're no longer afraid to try new things because we know that failure is always an option. And when we do fail, we're quicker to recognise it, learn from it, and move on.

This approach also helps us to stay grounded and humble. When we assume that our ideas will succeed simply because we thought of them, we run the risk of becoming complacent and arrogant. But when we default to failure, we're forced to continuously prove the market, listen to feedback, and adapt to changing conditions. It keeps us hungry, lean, and agile – qualities that are essential for long-term success.

Of course, there are downsides to this approach. Some people might view us as negative or overly cautious. They might think that we're not fully invested in our ideas or that we lack vision. But the truth is that defaulting to failure allows us to see the world more clearly. It gives us the courage to challenge assumptions, question conventional wisdom, and seek out evidence that contradicts our beliefs.

In practice, defaulting to failure looks like this:

• Before launching a new product, we test it extensively with beta users to ensure that it solves a real problem and meets a genuine need.
• Instead of investing heavily in marketing campaigns, we focus on building a strong brand identity and cultivating relationships with our customers.
• When faced with unexpected obstacles, we don't panic or get deflated. We instead use them as opportunities to pivot, adjust our strategy, and find new ways forward.

Defaulting to failure isn't about being defeatist or expecting the worst. It's about being realistic, humble, and willing to learn from our mistakes. It's a mindset that allows us to take smart risks, embrace uncertainty, and stay focused on the task at hand. So if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, stop pretending that failure isn't an option. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your journey to success.