“Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward”
This mantra, often repeated in creative and professional circles, sounds encouraging on the surface. But the reality of failure can be jarring, especially when you’re deeply invested in your work and career. Failing is indeed a part of growth, yet truly learning from those stumbles, and even more so, developing a healthy relationship with the concept of failure, is a significant challenge. It requires honest self-assessment and a structured approach to turn missteps into stepping stones.
For high-achievers and perfectionists, the sting of failure can be particularly sharp. Internal and external pressures amplify self-doubt, making it difficult to objectively analyze performance and extract valuable lessons. Without a strategy, we risk getting trapped in cycles of self-criticism, hindering our ability to take risks, innovate, and ultimately achieve greater success. This article will delve into a proven method for navigating professional setbacks, transforming your perspective on failure, and ensuring each experience, positive or negative, contributes to your growth. We’ll explore a system to impartially evaluate your performance, learn productively from every project, and even share tips for communicating effectively about mistakes with clients and superiors. This is about learning to not just cope with failure, but to embrace it as an essential component of progress – to learn how to stop worrying and, metaphorically speaking, love the bomb.
The Rollercoaster of Success and Setbacks
Early in my career, around 2005, I experienced a period of significant professional acclaim. Years of dedication in post-production were beginning to pay off, and I was receiving recognition from industry figures I deeply respected. This validation was incredibly motivating, fueling my confidence and driving me to push my creative boundaries. I found myself working directly with Executive Producers and other high-level decision-makers, individuals whose names I had long admired in film and television credits. Their direct feedback was initially exhilarating – a sign that I was reaching new heights. However, this reliance on external praise proved to be a double-edged sword.
I was tasked with editing a highlight reel for a TV series, a montage intended to capture the essence of the production to date. The Executive Producer’s brief was simple: “Call it ‘blood, sweat and tears,’ and make it cool.” I poured my creativity into the project, crafting a piece I was genuinely proud of. Confident in my work, I submitted it, anticipating positive feedback.
The following morning began with a phone call that shattered my confidence. It was my boss, his voice subdued and apologetic.
“I’m so sorry,” he began, “Please don’t come into work today. The Executive Producer has asked that we replace you on this show immediately.”
I pressed for details, desperate to understand what had gone wrong.
“He hated the music you used,” my boss explained, “He said you’re the worst editor he’s ever seen, it wasn’t at all what he wanted.”
In an instant, my perception of my career, built on the foundation of external approval, crumbled. The praise that had defined my professional identity was replaced by harsh condemnation. I went from being a “rising star” to “the worst editor he’s ever seen” in the eyes of a key decision-maker.
Adding insult to injury, the editor who replaced me faced the same abrupt dismissal the very next day. On day two after my firing, the Executive Producer even inquired, “Why didn’t you show up for work yesterday? Now we’ve lost a whole day.” This experience, and a few similar incidents that year, took a significant toll. My self-worth became dangerously tethered to the fluctuating opinions of those in positions of power.
It became clear that this had to change.
Inspired by resources like Sarah Knight’s “The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F***”, I realized the critical need to decouple my self-esteem from external validation. I needed to develop an internal compass for judging my performance, learning from both successes and failures, and building self-assurance from within.
Relying solely on external judgment led to an unhealthy cycle. Feedback tended to be binary – either “complete fail” or “amazing” – neither of which provided constructive insights. These extreme labels were also all I would retain, overshadowing the actual lessons learned and obstacles overcome during a project. This meant that valuable experiences were lost, and I risked repeating the same mistakes in future endeavors.
To break free from this cycle, I devised a straightforward system that proved transformative.
The Graceful Failure Post-Mortem: A System for Learning
To ensure consistent learning and minimize self-recrimination, I implemented a post-project review process. After each job, I complete a simple form based on a set of targeted questions. These forms are stored in a searchable digital folder, creating a valuable archive of project experiences. This system allows me to revisit recent projects, extract key learnings, and apply those insights to similar future tasks.
In researching best practices for this article, I discovered that Geoffrey James shared a similar methodology in Inc., and numerous other experts emphasize the importance of reflection and learning from failures, as highlighted by Elite Daily.
Some colleagues who have adopted this system have further refined it:
- Living Document Approach: Completing the form throughout the project, reviewing and finalizing it at completion.
- Team Post-Mortem: Each team member completes the form individually, and responses are then shared to create a comprehensive team perspective.
Over a decade later, this “post-mortem” process remains a cornerstone of my professional practice.
This system acts as a personal accountability tool, preventing me from dwelling on mistakes. It provides a logical framework for processing criticism, allowing me to approach even harsh feedback with composure and objectivity. People are often surprised when I calmly acknowledge a significant failure, but this system has genuinely empowered me and many others I’ve shared it with. I encourage you to adapt it to your specific needs and share it with your colleagues.
Implementing the Post-Mortem System: 8 Key Questions
Here are the eight core questions that form the foundation of the post-mortem system. Honest and thoughtful answers to these questions after each project are crucial for maximizing learning and growth:
- Describe the workflow.
- What went well?
- What went badly?
- What factors facilitated smooth progress?
- What obstacles hindered progress?
- What are you proud of?
- What did you learn?
- If you could restart this project today, what would you do differently?
1. Describe the Workflow
This question is designed for future recall, making your post-mortem documents searchable and contextually relevant years later. It’s simply a concise summary of the project’s nature.
Example Workflow Description:
Indie Feature film. Avid turnover via aaf, conform and grade in Quantel Rio. ARRI PR4444 4K source footage. Frame rate conversion on drone footage, minor clean-ups and VFX, day-for-night grade. P3 color grade, 2K 2048×868 DCP delivery. Titles from external vendor, credits via Endcrawl.com.
2. What Went Well?
Focus on the aspects of the project that proceeded smoothly, according to plan, or even exceeded expectations. Even in challenging projects, there are always positive elements to identify. On particularly difficult jobs, my “wins” have sometimes been as simple as “catering was consistently excellent – healthy, tasty, and reliably on time.”
Other Examples of “What Went Well”:
- Seamless XML conform, no missing media.
- Client satisfaction with title design, minimal revisions required.
- Successful implementation of collaborative documents for change communication.
3. What Went Badly?
This section is for detailing the aspects of the project that didn’t go as planned. List mistakes, workflow disruptions, and any negative occurrences.
Crucially, focus on listing what went wrong without immediate analysis.
Examples of “What Went Badly”:
- Failure to convert B-Camera footage to the correct color space, requiring correction during the grading session.
- Unusable EDL from editorial (FCP), lacking source information and hindering conform.
- Difficulty managing VFX versions, leading to client review of incorrect iterations.
- Poor communication between Director and Post Supervisor, resulting in team disorganization and unprepared client sessions.
4. Factors That Helped or Hurt Performance
This question delves into the circumstances and influences that impacted your performance, both positively and negatively. Consider factors both within and outside your direct control. A thorough and honest analysis, addressing both positive and negative influences, prevents excuse-making and brings a balanced, logical perspective to the post-mortem.
It’s acceptable to reiterate points from previous sections and to be candid in your assessment.
Examples of “Factors That Helped”:
- Utilizing collaborative documents for change communication improved efficiency.
- Consistent, healthy catered lunches maintained energy and focus during demanding periods.
Examples of “Factors That Hurt”:
- Underpowered computer and insufficient storage slowed down workflow.
- Ineffective Post Supervisor contributed to communication breakdowns.
- Tight deadlines created excessive pressure and sleep deprivation.
5. What Are You Proud Of?
This is a crucial section for building internal self-validation and counteracting the tendency to rely solely on external praise.
In some cultures, humility is so emphasized that self-acknowledgement is discouraged. However, recognizing and celebrating your achievements is essential for healthy self-esteem. It’s important to cultivate a balanced ego.
Whether you keep this section private or share it, ensure you provide a genuine and detailed answer. Allow yourself to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.
Examples of “What You’re Proud Of”:
- Successfully executed a complex sky replacement – VFX and clean-up work overall were exceptionally strong.
- Calmly diffused client panic following a mistake, managing the situation effectively.
- Particularly pleased with the color grade of the opening scene – aesthetically strong.
6. What Did You Learn?
This question is where you synthesize both successes and failures, extracting key lessons from the overall experience.
Every project provides learning opportunities.
These lessons can be technical – new techniques or workarounds – or interpersonal, relating to team dynamics or client management. Review your lists of “what went well” and “what went badly.” Each item can be a source of valuable learning.
By ensuring the workflow description at the top of your document is searchable, you can apply these learned lessons to future projects with similar characteristics. Mistakes become learning experiences, and each project contributes to continuous improvement.
Storing post-mortems in searchable platforms like Google Drive, Notes, or journaling apps enhances their long-term value.
Reflecting on lessons learned is empowering. It shifts your mindset, giving practical meaning to the “fail early, fail often, fail forward” adage. Celebrate this learning process, recognizing that each lesson makes you more skilled and effective.
7. If You Could Restart Today, What Would You Do Differently?
Hindsight is invaluable, especially when identifying areas for improvement. This question encourages you to leverage hindsight proactively.
The critical insight here is that lessons learned can be easily forgotten, especially the subtle adjustments to workflow or decision-making processes.
Reviewing responses to this question in my post-mortem archive has been immensely beneficial. It has enabled me to avoid repeating past mistakes and to leverage prior experiences – successes, failures, and accumulated knowledge – to significantly enhance my professional performance.
Perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration. Worrying is likely inherent, and failure is never enjoyable. However, this system has enabled me to move beyond self-blame, appreciate the learning embedded in failures, and embrace experimentation and risk-taking.
I’ve cultivated the ability to fail forward.
And when failures occur, I’ve also developed strategies for rapid recovery, which we will address next.
Recovering from Setbacks: The Professional “Tuck and Roll”
Developing comfort with failure also necessitates the ability to navigate setbacks gracefully and recover swiftly. As jazz musician Miles Davis famously said:
“When you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad.”
Image alt text: A stylized photo of a burning hard drive, symbolizing catastrophic data loss or project failure.
1. Take a Deep Breath
Your initial reaction to a mistake is likely panic, which can lead to poorly considered responses that compound the issue. Resist the urge to immediately react. Acknowledge the mistake, even with a few curse words if necessary, but quickly shift into recovery mode.
2. Identify and Solve the Problem
The first step in recovery is accurate problem identification. Sometimes, client reactions can be disproportionate, perceiving a crisis where none exists. Conversely, genuine problems do arise. Clearly define the mistake and its actual impact.
Occasionally, problem identification is self-evident.
Image alt text: A cat looking calm and collected amidst chaos, representing staying cool under pressure during a professional crisis.
Solutions usually exist, though they may require collaboration. Often, multiple solutions are possible. Prioritize the most efficient, least disruptive solution, and also consider the best long-term fix. Immediately implement a temporary patch to minimize further damage or disruption.
3. Time-Bound Initial Action
The ideal solution isn’t always the fastest solution. When a mistake impacts others, a rapid, stop-gap solution is often necessary within 5-10 minutes. While a robust, long-term solution addressing the root cause is desirable, immediate disruption to others must be minimized first. Implement a quick fix, and then address the permanent repair after the immediate crisis is managed.
4. Strategic Communication
Communicate thoughtfully and strategically. However, communication is essential.
Inform those potentially affected by the disruption, providing a clear indication of the delay and its duration. Avoid excessive detail; the primary goal is to allow others to adjust their plans and mitigate the cascading effects of the disruption. Manage expectations and reduce pressure by providing clear, concise information. Avoid negative or emotional language. A simple, professional message suffices:
“There has been a disruption, which is being resolved, causing an estimated delay of approximately 30 minutes. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”
The second critical communication is to your supervisor or superior.
By this stage, you have identified the problem, minimized further disruption, and developed a solution. Reporting a mistake to a supervisor can be daunting, but a structured approach can turn this into a positive interaction. Present the following information concisely and simultaneously:
- Problem Statement: Clearly state what happened, avoiding excuses.
- Solution Implemented: Describe the steps taken to address the problem.
- Preventative Measures: Outline actions to prevent recurrence.
This proactive approach can enhance your professional image, even after a mistake. It demonstrates problem-solving skills and accountability. Supervisors are typically concerned with problem resolution and impact. By presenting a solution, not just a problem, you provide valuable information and minimize their burden, fostering a positive response.
Turning Failure into a Catalyst for Success
While I still experience initial frustration when mistakes occur, I no longer dwell on self-criticism. Time is too valuable to waste on prolonged negativity. Instead, I immediately shift into recovery mode, initiating:
- Analysis
- Solution Implementation
- Strategic Communication
Following project completion, the Post Mortem exercise provides structured reflection and learning.
By combining rapid recovery techniques with the post-mortem system, you transform failures into valuable learning experiences. You generate concrete, actionable insights that enhance future performance. You demonstrate resilience and competence to colleagues, supervisors, and clients, building trust through effective crisis management.
Embrace both successes and failures as integral to growth. Confidently fail forward, and celebrate the learning journey.
