A few years ago, I was working with my CBT coach on launching one of the million ideas swirling around in my head (you know that feeling—so many ideas, but you're scared to take that first small step).
My coach introduced me to a wonderful technique that I’d love to share with you all. It’s a simple but powerful tool, and I think spreading this knowledge is especially timely now, with the new year just starting to take its first steps.
So, here it goes.
When dealing with complex problems, it’s hard to know what will work and what won’t. That’s where Safe-to-Fail Probes come in. These are small, low-risk experiments that let you test ideas in real-world situations without major consequences if things don’t go as planned.
The idea is simple: try something new on a small scale. If it works, great! If it doesn’t, no big deal—you’ve learned something valuable. The focus isn’t on avoiding failure but on learning from it and using those insights to improve your next steps.
For example, if you’re thinking of launching an Etsy store, don’t start by creating hundreds of products. Instead, test the waters with a few items, promote them on social media, and see how people respond. If you make sales, great! If not, you’ll know what to tweak without losing too much time or money.
The best part? You don’t need to fear failure. In fact, failure is part of the process. Each step teaches you something valuable. So, take that first small step—you never know where it might lead.
Safe-to-Fail Probes aren’t about getting it right the first time. They’re about learning, adapting, and growing without the fear of massive setbacks.
Now, go try something new!