It’s Better to Try and Fail Than to Have Never Tried At All
How many times have you wanted to do something but for whatever reason you never tried? Maybe it was fear of failure? Maybe you fear ridicule from your peers? Maybe you thought about your idea so much that it started to sound stupid and you simply talked yourself out of it? Don’t worry, we’ve all done these things.
I’m sure you have heard the old saying that it’s better to have tried and failed at something than to have never tried at all? Sure you have, who hasn’t? If you stop and think about the message for a second, it can be very powerful, not only for you as a web publisher or blogger, but in life. Every time you want to do something which involves some risk, I think you should stop and think about this saying.
If You Don’t Try, You Fail
There are a lot of people that have some great ideas, but they never come to fruition because of the fear of failure. To many people believe it’s safer to never try and follow their dreams because that way, they’ll never fail. Now, I’m not “Mr. Motivational Speaker Guy”, but I’m here to tell you that if you don’t try, you do fail.
If you’re like me, you’ve got tons of ideas for web startups. I have an excel spreadsheet of around 100 domain names for site ideas that I’ve gathered over the years. Now, all of these sites may never see the light of day, but I can honestly say it’s not the fear of failure that will stop me, nor is it the fear of being ridiculed by my peers, because I really couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks. 
I’ve touched on some of the mistakes I made early on when I first started learning about web publishing, it wasn’t fear of failure holding me back, it was the feeling that I wasn’t good enough. I mean, there are hundreds of better designers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who have been around for years and are already established with great sites and a big group of loyal followers, so how could I ever compete? I felt like I had learn before I could start developing my ideas. The answer was right under my nose. There is no better way to learn, than to learn while doing. In hindsight, I know now that I should have just started and learned as I went along because in reality, that’s what everyone else was doing (even though it may not have seemed that way). I read a great article a while back, and it’s true, you really are better than you think, some people just realize that earlier than others.
How Do You Get Over Your Fear?
Unfortunately I don’t have some magical answer for you on this one. It’s as simple as just doing it (okay, did I really just repeat the Nike slogan?). Sitting on the sidelines is good to a certain extent while you develop some sort of game plan, but you can’t stay there your whole life, unless of course you just want to be someone that talks about what they want to do instead of being someone that actually goes out and does it? I really don’t think anyone wants to sit on the sidelines their whole life, but unfortunately, a lot do. I know a lot of you are sitting on the sidelines right now, but you really don’t have to be. A lot of times, just showing up and getting started is the necessary ingredients for making your dreams come true.
I can guarantee you that you will make mistakes. That’s a given and is a part of the learning process. What I can also guarantee you is that each and every time you fail, you will also learn some valuable lessons along the way. If you pay close enough attention, in just about every circumstance, you will learn something. I really believe though, that you learn the most from your failures. With each failure, you learn what not to do and become one step closer to understanding what you need to do to succeed.
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to have ever played the game. I’ll leave you with a quote from MJ. It’s really something to think about:
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
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Comments
Previously, i used to be coward to show my opinions out to the publics. But since once upon a time, i determined to myself to be brave and not to fear everything. At the moment, i try to do whatever seems i am unable to reach. Although, the remarkable success hasn’t come to me yet. I’ll try more. I feel that; the more i come across the problem, the more ideas i have for the next relative ones. Thanks for your article, It is really helpful to me.
Posted on Mon Nov 19, 2007
Great post! I wrote something similar not long ago and I too have a long list of ideas waiting to be put into action. It’s a matter of deciding on the right one and trying it out. Like you said, you learn the most from trying and failing.
Posted on Mon Nov 19, 2007
Timely and inspirational post Deron, thanks. Here are a few gems which I reference when I’m in motivational gridlock:
From “How to Ruin your Life” by Ben Stein:
“Be a perfectionist. In your life, everything and everyone has to be perfect. Don’t be satisfied with yourself or anyone else unless what you do is absolutely impeccable.”
“Sure, it might not be a bad idea [to learn how to garden] ... But could your roses ever compare with those at the gardens at Versailles, or the White House? Probably not. Then why bother to even try?”
Posted on Tue Nov 20, 2007
Also wanted to make very clear the above quotes are said with heavy sarcasm… note they are from a book called “How to Ruin your Life”
Posted on Tue Nov 20, 2007
Deron really good read! I went through something similar myself last year when i started freelancing full-time. Its a scary thought being self-employed and you make mistakes, but oh boy do you learn from them!
Like yourself i have a list as long as your arm of domain names, niche ideas, product ideas etc that i have thought about, but it is only recently that i decided to just take the bull by the horns and actually start work on some of these (in no small thanks to enrolling in Brian Clark’s Teaching Sells program!). I am currently working on several personal projects that will be launching very soon. Just taking these ideas, working on them and developing them has been a blast and i honestly recommend it to everyone, don’t let your ideas go stale, act on them because it is so enjoyable and rewarding!
Posted on Tue Nov 20, 2007
My favorite quote when it comes to this type of thing is that of Thomas Edison:
“I didn’t fail ten thousand times. I successfully eliminated, ten thousand times, materials and combinations which wouldn’t work.”
Posted on Wed Nov 21, 2007
Brian: Yep, for me anyway, time is the biggest factor. I have so many ideas that it will be impossible for me to develop each one of them, but you never know what could happen. I could develop something that takes off in popularity and I could end of paying a team of people to develop my other ideas. You just never know. One thing is for sure, you have to start. If you never start, you will never do anything.
Daravuth: You’re right, Daravuth. I used to be the same way. I was really shy express my opinions on things. It was basically the fear of someone thinking what I was saying was dumb, or ridiculing me for my opinion. As I’ve grown, I just don’t care anymore. If I say something that someone else doesn’t agree with, so be it. Let them disagree all they want.
Erik: Yeah, deciding on the right idea to develop is a tough one for me. I try to look my ideas and decide on which ones to develop first based on how easily it will be to develop and how quickly I think I can have it online. I’d like to get 3 or 4 easy sites online first and then maybe start on one that will require more work. The idea (at least for me) is that hopefully my smaller sites can help generate revenue that will assist in pushing the develop of the larger site. Doesn’t always work like that, but it’s an idea.
Sam: Funny quotes for sure Sam. I think being a perfectionist is one of my bigger flaws which I’m trying to overcome. I will always be a perfectionist in every thing I do, but you have to know when draw the line. Before I actually had any sites live, I would stress way out over the design and until every little nook and cranny of the site was perfect (in my eyes) I wouldn’t launch it. I’ve slowly overcome this disease and realized that it’s really counter productive to actually making a side income online. It needs to look good, but it doesn’t have to be impeccable. Chances are no one will notice the little design flaws anyway and you’ll be much better off with a live slightly flawed site rather than a non-live slightly flawed site.
Grace: You couldn’t be more right with your comments. I would love to eventually work for myself solely through my online ventures. That’s a long way off and may never happen, but it’s a goal. I’ve only been online for around six months now so I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished in my short time, but I will always want more. Since I’ve taken the “bull by the horns” I’ve learned SO much more about design, publishing, etc. It’s just something you learn by doing. You can sit on the side and read forums and blog articles where people tell you what it’s like to run a blog, or be a freelancer, but it’s just such a learning experience to experience everything first hand for yourself. Since I started this blog, my skills have improved so much that it’s crazy. I’m a better at writing, designing, developing, and networking. It’s been such a great learning experience.
I’ve heard some much about Teaching Sells, that I may just have to sign up for it!
James: That’s another great quote James! I love these types of quotes. They really motivate me for some reason. A lot of people see successful people and think that they are perfect and had everything handed to them on a silver platter. It’s really motivational to me to know that some of the most influential people of our time failed many, many times. Persistence pays off in the end though.
Posted on Thu Nov 22, 2007
Deron,
This is an excellent post, and I agree on all levels. The only person who truly fails, is the one who doesn’t even try.
Posted on Mon Nov 26, 2007
Paul: Thanks for stopping by Paul. Yep, definitely. If you have a dream, you have to try. I would rather try something and fail than not try and regret not trying 15 years down the road. At least if I fail, I know I gave it a shot.
Posted on Wed Nov 28, 2007
Excellent post, man. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve tried and failed many times, but it has made me a stronger and better person. Thanks for the post.
Posted on Fri Nov 30, 2007
One of my favorite quotes -
“I’d rather fall short chasing impossible dreams than not try at all.” :D
Posted on Tue Dec 4, 2007
ninja.s Thanks! Yep, I think so. Each time you fail it really does make you stronger as a person.
Gregg Very good quote! I love little motivational quotes like that.
Posted on Thu Dec 6, 2007
See, that’s actually why I never went into web design. I want things to be perfect. Thanks for the motivation. Maybe I’ll give it a try and really start learning this stuff. CSS and whatnot. I’ll just have to mess around with it myself until I feel comfortable with it before offering it for sale. Thanks,
Melanie
Posted on Sun Jan 27, 2008
Melanie: Yeah, that’s really all there is to learning a lot of this web stuff, just messing around with it. I was completely lost with CSS three years ago (you should see my first CSS design! 
The best thing is to take it slow and not get in over your head at first (that’s what I did). A lot of times I see people just starting with CSS trying to make these super complex layouts and unless you really understand a lot of the basics first, it’s very difficult to design a complex layout without really messing it up and having to basically start all over again to fix your errors (done this many times).
Again, if you need any help in this area, let me know.
Posted on Sun Jan 27, 2008
The quote “It’s Better to Try and Fail Than to Have Never Tried At All” is a wonderful quote and one that I believe everyone should adhere to, including big business. Everyone has the ability to fulfill their dreams but they have to take a chance and try them out first. Otherwise they will never know. Granted, you may fail the first, second, or even third time; but eventually you may find the glitch that makes it work the way you wanted it too. If big business kept trying, they may find the groove they need to reach their goals and help improve their standing in the economy.
Any thoughts?
Posted on Sat Jan 10, 2009
@Christopher - I completely agree. Majority of the time people (and businesses) are just afraid to fail, so they don’t even try. I stumbled across another quote the other day that read: “What would you accomplish if you knew you could no fail.” It’s such a great quote and is the truth. To many times we don’t do something because of the fear of failing. Eventually you will succeed, but it takes persistence.
Posted on Fri Mar 6, 2009
I’ve tried and failed so many times and it has gotten me nowhere. I’d rather not try and not fail. It’s much easier on me that way.
Posted on Tue Jun 23, 2009
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My name is Deron Sizemore and I am a web designer, web publisher, blogger and serial internet entrepreneur living in Lexington, Kentucky.
Aye…
so many ideas…
so little time…
But I totally agree.
If you have an idea, try it!
What’s the point of dreaming to fly if you won’t get your feet off the ground?
Yes, you’ll trip and fall - but you’ll never get in the air unless you spread your wings.
Got an idea?
Try it.
Posted on Mon Nov 19, 2007