As entrepreneurs, we’re taught to be “risk-averse,” but when you’re running a creative business, risk isn’t just inevitable—it’s essential. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve learned is to fail fast. Let me break that down: Fail fast, learn quickly, and keep moving forward.
It’s not always about getting things perfect on the first try (spoiler alert: you won’t). It’s about being okay with failing quickly and using those lessons to grow stronger and smarter. Failing fast is such an important mindset to embrace in your creative journey.
1. Embrace the Learning Curve
When I first started out, I had a tendency to be perfectionistic—afraid that a small mistake would ruin my brand or my reputation. But here’s the thing: perfectionism can paralyze your progress. Instead of obsessing over every tiny detail, I learned to embrace the learning curve.
Failing fast is about making decisions, testing things out, and quickly determining what works and what doesn’t. Each mistake brings you one step closer to success. Whether it’s a social media campaign that didn’t resonate or a new design idea that didn’t land, it’s a chance to pivot and improve.
2. Speed Up Your Decision-Making Process
The longer you wait to take action, the harder it becomes to move forward. A key lesson in entrepreneurship is learning to make decisions quickly—even when you’re unsure. Trust yourself, take the leap, and learn from the results. The sooner you start testing ideas, the sooner you’ll uncover what actually works for your business.
Pro tip: Start setting shorter timelines for decision-making. This will help you avoid getting stuck in analysis paralysis and start acting on your creative vision sooner.
3. Get Comfortable with Experimentation
If you don’t experiment, you won’t know what’s possible. When it comes to marketing, business strategy, or design, trying new things helps you stay ahead of the curve. Over the years, I’ve made mistakes—tons of them—but each one has been an opportunity to learn and refine my approach.
The key takeaway: Experimentation is a crucial part of your growth as an entrepreneur. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it’s risky. You’ll gain insight, and even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll be closer to finding a strategy that does.
4. Celebrate Your Wins—Big and Small
The best part about failing fast is that when you do succeed, those wins feel so much sweeter. And trust me, you will win! Whether it’s landing a new client, creating a viral campaign, or even just finding the right software for your workflow, make sure to take a moment to celebrate the little victories—you’ve earned it. Get yourself some flowers, or take some friends to dinner—whatever feels right, just make sure to enjoy the moment!
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster, and the highs are what make the ride worth it. Keep testing, keep learning, and enjoy every step of your journey!
