Fail Fast, Fail Often Book Summary - Fail Fast, Fail Often Book explained in key points
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Fail Fast, Fail Often summary

Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz

How Losing Can Help You Win

4.4 (160 ratings)
18 mins

Brief summary

Fail Fast, Fail Often by Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz is a self-help book that encourages taking action, embracing failures, and trying new things. It offers practical tips and success stories to help anyone overcome their fear of failure and achieve their goals.

Table of Contents

    Fail Fast, Fail Often
    Summary of 9 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 9

    Fulfilled, joyful people make things happen rather than waiting for them to happen on their own.

    Do you feel dissatisfied and bored with your life, of the same old routine of going to work, coming home, and watching television? Then why don’t you make a change?

    For most of us, the reason is fear.

    Many people think that in order to achieve their goals they need to have a perfectly formulated action plan. But such a plan is unrealistic and, failing to achieve one, many people are afraid to take action.

    This outlook on life is known as the not-yet approach: we want success and happiness, but we’re so afraid of failing due to the lack of a perfect plan that whenever it’s time to say action, we say “not-yet.”

    However, we should reverse this mindset: we should find happiness in the present moment, not wait for a future event to bring us happiness!

    For starters, we should start doing small things to make ourselves happy; we will likely see positive results.

    Consider a Cornell University psychology study in which doctors who cheered themselves up by eating candy before talking to patients were more productive and performed more accurate diagnoses and treatments. Even this little pick-me-up resulted in a marked performance improvement!

    In addition, we must realize that success does not come from planning; it comes from seizing opportunities when they appear.

    Clif Bar, one of the most successful powerbar brands is a case in point. The founder, Gary Erickson, didn’t start the brand thanks to careful planning; the idea came to him one time after cycling when he felt sick from eating other powerbars. He decided to take action, and designed more flavorful, natural ones that became a huge hit.

    So stop waiting for things to be better. Go create something better, instead!

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    Key ideas in Fail Fast, Fail Often

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    What is Fail Fast, Fail Often about?

    Fail Fast, Fail Often reminds us that our fear of failure can keep us from having new experiences, meeting new people, and creating our own happiness. By embracing failure we can lead happier, more successful lives.

    Fail Fast, Fail Often Review

    Fail Fast, Fail Often (2013) explores how embracing failure can lead to personal and professional growth. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:

    • The authors provide practical strategies to turn failure into a valuable learning experience, empowering readers to overcome their fear of failure and take risks.
    • By sharing real-life stories and case studies, the book illustrates how failure can be a stepping stone to success, giving readers a fresh perspective on setbacks and setbacks.
    • With its down-to-earth approach and relatable examples, the book manages to present a serious topic in an engaging and conversational manner, making it a compelling read.

    Best quote from Fail Fast, Fail Often

    No matter how trapped you may feel in your current life, there are positive actions you can take and new experiences to be had.

    —Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz
    example alt text

    Who should read Fail Fast, Fail Often?

    • Anyone who finds it hard to get up in the morning
    • Anyone who’s afraid of failure
    • Anyone who desires a happy, fulfilling life

    About the Author

    Ryan Babineaux earned his M.Ed. in psychology and human development from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from Stanford University.

    John Krumboltz is a professor of education at Stanford University. He has written over 200 books, including Luck Is No Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career.

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    Fail Fast, Fail Often FAQs 

    What is the main message of Fail Fast, Fail Often?

    The main message of Fail Fast, Fail Often is to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success and to adopt a mindset of experimentation and learning.

    How long does it take to read Fail Fast, Fail Often?

    The reading time for Fail Fast, Fail Often varies depending on the reader's pace, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.

    Is Fail Fast, Fail Often a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Fail Fast, Fail Often is a valuable book for those interested in personal and professional growth. It provides practical advice and encourages embracing failure as a means of learning and growth.

    Who is the author of Fail Fast, Fail Often?

    The authors of Fail Fast, Fail Often are Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz.

    What to read after Fail Fast, Fail Often?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Fail Fast, Fail Often, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell
    • How to Fail by Elizabeth Day
    • Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields
    • Brave by Margie Warrell
    • The Discomfort Zone by Farrah Storr
    • How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams
    • Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
    • Adaptability by Max McKeown
    • How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell
    • Influence by Robert B. Cialdini