5 Reasons You Need to Fail to Succeed!

Failure—just the word itself can make our hearts sink. It’s a punch to the gut, a reality check, and something we’re often taught to avoid at all costs. But what if I told you that failure is one of the most valuable tools in your creative, entrepreneurial, or goal-setting journey?

I know, I know—no one wants to fail. But here's the thing: failure is, somewhat, inevitable, and it’s packed with hidden benefits that can actually move you forward in ways success alone never could.

I’ve found that some of my biggest creative breakthroughs, personal growth, and even business wins have come on the heels of some of my biggest failures. So let’s embrace it, and unpack what failure really offers us. Below are the top five hidden benefits of failing that every creative, entrepreneur or ambitious goal-setter should know.

1. FAILURE BUILDS RESILIENCE!

Resilience is like a muscle. Every time we fail and get back up, we’re strengthening it. We all know people who seem unshakable, who bounce back from setbacks with ease—chances are, they didn’t get that way by succeeding every time.

When you fail, you have two choices: let it stop you or use it to fuel your comeback. Resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about learning to adapt, recalibrate, and grow stronger. And, the more you fail and rise again, the more you’ll feel like nothing can break you. This is crucial in any creative or entrepreneurial endeavour because setbacks are inevitable. But with each one, your resilience grows.

2. IT FORCES YOU TO INNOVATE!

There’s a saying that necessity is the mother of invention, and failure creates a sense of necessity like nothing else. When something doesn’t work out, it forces us to rethink, pivot, and come up with a new approach.

Some of the most innovative ideas were born from failed attempts. If you hit a wall, feel frustrated, and think, Okay, what’s next? That frustration can push you to think outside the box, to explore ideas you might have never considered if things had gone smoothly.

Failure, in this way, becomes a kind of creative fuel. When the path you thought was clear suddenly crumbles, you’re forced to find a new one—and that’s where real innovation happens.

3. FAILURE OFFERS CLARITY!

Nothing will shine a light on what really matters like failure. When we fall short, it forces us to ask important questions: ‘Why didn’t this work?’ ‘Is this still what I want?’ ‘What’s my next move?’

This reflection can be one of the greatest gifts failure has to offer. It pushes you to reassess your goals, your approach, and your passion. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of working toward a goal, but failure hits the pause button, offering a moment of clarity. Maybe what you were chasing isn’t what you want after all—or maybe it’s time to change your tactics.

In any case, failure clears the noise and helps you see what truly matters in your journey.

4. IT CULTIVATES HUMILITY AND EMPATHY

Failure humbles us in the best way. It reminds us that we’re human, that we don’t have all the answers, and that sometimes we’re going to fall flat on our faces. But this humility is a strength, not a weakness. It makes us more open to learning, to feedback, and to collaboration.

What’s more, failure also cultivates empathy. When you’ve been through it yourself, you understand the struggles of others on a deeper level. You become a better leader, a more compassionate friend, and a more relatable creator or entrepreneur. This human connection—born from shared failures—can be incredibly powerful.

5. IT’S PROOF THAT YOU’RE TAKING RISKS

Finally, failure is proof that you’re trying. If you’re not failing at least occasionally, you’re probably playing it too safe. For creatives, entrepreneurs, and goal-setters, taking risks is part of the game. Playing it safe might protect you from failure, but it also protects you from growth.

Every failure is a sign that you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, testing your limits, and aiming higher. And that’s where the magic happens—when you stretch yourself beyond what you thought was possible. So, if you’re failing, you’re in good company. It means you’re out there, doing the work, taking risks, and moving closer to your goals.

BONUS BOOK RECOMMENDATION.

There are loads of books about failure, but the opening part of this book, Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed talks all about ‘The Logic of Failure’. About stopping and reassessing after a failure, and then using the lessons we learn to make marginal gains in whatever goals we’ve set ourselves.

It’s well worth a read, so I will include a link to it if you click the image.

CONCLUSION: EMBRACE THE FAILURES!

The next time failure knocks you down, take a breath, remind yourself of the hidden benefits, and get back up. Every failure is an opportunity to build resilience, spark innovation, gain clarity, grow in humility, and prove you’re pushing your boundaries.

In the end, failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a stepping stone to it. So here’s to failing forward, learning from every misstep, and becoming the kind of creative or entrepreneur who can turn setbacks into comebacks.

You’ve got this. Fail brilliantly, and keep going.

Thanks again for being a part of the Creative Nowhere Land journey and taking the time to read the blog. If you found any of this useful, then sign up for the newsletter for more, hopefully beneficial, information to help you achieve your goals. Also, to be the first to know when brand new podcasts are launched before anyone else.

So, until next time…

EXPLORE. INSPIRE. CREATE.