The 3 Stages of Failure in Life and Work (And How to Fix Them)

Here's another article from getpocket.com. This article is from James Clear, I've run across his name a few times but I don't really know any more about him than what's on his website. But I found this article interesting and thought I'd share it.

One of the hardest things in life is to know when to keep going and when to move on. 

On the one hand, perseverance and grit are key to achieving success in any field. Anyone who masters their craft will face moments of doubt and somehow find the inner resolve to keep going. If you want to build a successful business or create a great marriage or learn a new skill then “sticking with it” is perhaps the most critical trait to possess. 

On the other hand, telling someone to never give up is terrible advice. Successful people give up all the time. If something is not working, smart people don’t repeat it endlessly. They revise. They adjust. They pivot. They quit. As the saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 

Life requires both strategies. Sometimes you need to display unwavering confidence and double down on your efforts. Sometimes you need to abandon the things that aren’t working and try something new. The key question is: how do you know when to give up and when to stick with it? 

One way to answer this question is to use a framework I call the 3 Stages of Failure.

What I found interesting is the way he talks about the how, what and why...just like I've talked about in creating your mission and vision.

The 3 Stages of Failure 

This framework helps clarify things by breaking down challenges into three stages of failure: 

Stage 1 is a Failure of Tactics. These are HOW mistakes. They occur when you fail to build robust systems, forget to measure carefully, and get lazy with the details. A Failure of Tactics is a failure to execute on a good plan and a clear vision. 

Stage 2 is a Failure of Strategy. These are WHAT mistakes. They occur when you follow a strategy that fails to deliver the results you want. You can know why you do the things you do and you can know how to do the work, but still choose the wrong what to make it happen. 

Stage 3 is a Failure of Vision. These are WHY mistakes. They occur when you don't set a clear direction for yourself, follow a vision that doesn't fulfill you, or otherwise fail to understand why you do the things you do.

There are three primary ways to fix Failures of Tactics. 

1. Record your process.
2. Measure your outcomes.
3. Review and adjust your tactics.

There are three primary ways to fix Failures of Strategy. 

1. Launch it quickly.
2. Do it cheaply.
3. Revise it rapidly.

And finally:

There are three primary ways to fix Failures of Vision. 

1. Take stock of your life.
2. Determine your non-negotiable.
3. Navigate criticism.

There's a lot more information in the article, so be sure to check it out!

Interesting days

Today - Name Your PC Day, Wobbly Wednesday, Absurdity Day, African Industrialization Day, Peanut Butter Fudge Day and Universal Children’s Day

Tomorrow - World Hello Day, Stuffing Day, False Confession Day, Red Mitten Day, Use Less Stuff Day, Beaujolais Nouveau Day, Social Enterprise Day and World Television Day

Week long celebrations:

November 18 - 24: Road Safety Week

Next Wednesday - Bavarian Cream Pie Day, Tie One On Day, Jukebox Day, Craft Jerky Day and Pins And Needles Day

December 20 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Go Caroling Day, Sangria Day, Underdog Day and Games Day

Month long celebrations:

November 28 - December 31: A Blue Christmas