Fail Forward

On an episode of Theo Von’s podcast, “This Past Weekend,” Tony Robbins shared a simple but striking illustration.

“When you believe something is true, you’ll find evidence for it,” he said. “I’ll give you a test. Look around this room right now and notice everything that’s brown.”

Theo’s head swung around his small studio as he studied his shelves and tables for brown objects.

“Okay, now close your eyes,” Tony said. “And tell me everything you just saw that was red.”

Theo smiled, shaking his head as if he’d just been set up.

“Obviously, you saw a lot more brown, didn’t you?” Tony said. “Why? Because you were looking for it.”

The Clip Was About Success

Tony said that whatever you believe about yourself, you’ll find evidence for. Whether that is reality or not, you reinforce what you believe. 

So, if you focus on the negatives, you’ll find them. But if you are looking for opportunities or progress, you will find those instead.

If you think you suck at acting, you’ll see it. If you think you’re rubbish at writing, you’ll believe it. If you think you’re a terrible director, you’ll be one. 

I had a friend once who wasn’t cast in a show. It was a tough blow for her because she tried really hard and absolutely loved acting. This show, in particular, was one of her favorites. 

But instead of throwing up her hands and deciding, “I guess I just don’t have what it takes,” she went to the director and got notes on how she could improve. On opening night, she attended the show and studied the strengths of the actors who had been cast. She read biographies of famous actors, listened to podcasts, and practiced. And you know what? In the next show, she got a role.

Believing you’re a failure makes you quit. But if you take that same moment of failure and believe it’s an opportunity, you’ll fail forward.