People sometimes raise an eyebrow at our name. Why would anyone be a fan of failure? Surely the goal is to succeed. It is a fair question, and the answer sits at the heart of everything our community does.
We are not fans of failing for its own sake. Nobody enjoys the sinking feeling of a plan falling apart. What we are fans of is everything that becomes possible after a failure, if you are willing to look at it honestly. A setback strips away assumptions. It shows you where your plan was weak, which habits were not serving you and which people really have your back. That information is uncomfortable, but it is also incredibly valuable.
The trouble is that most of us waste it. We hide the failure, change the subject and move on as quickly as possible. The lesson goes unlearned, and the shame stays with us. Worse, the people around us never hear about it, so they assume they are the only ones who ever struggle.
Being a fan of failure means breaking that cycle. It means saying “this did not work, and here is what I learned” out loud. Every time someone in our community does that, it becomes a little easier for the next person. That is what we mean when we say together we can: not that nobody will ever fall, but that nobody has to get back up alone.
Five Questions to Ask After Something Goes Wrong
By the FanOfFailure Team ·
When something goes wrong, the first question most of us ask is “why does this always happen to me?” It is a natural reaction, but it rarely leads anywhere useful. Here are five better questions our volunteers use in story circles to turn a setback into a lesson.
What exactly was I trying to achieve? Be specific. Vague goals produce vague lessons.
What actually happened? Describe the events as a neutral observer would, without judging yourself yet.
Which parts were in my control, and which were not? Separating the two stops you from blaming yourself for the weather – or blaming the weather for your own choices.
What would I do differently with what I know now? This is where the real learning lives. Write down at least one concrete change.
Who else could benefit from this lesson? Sharing what you learned turns a private disappointment into something that helps your community.
Try answering these questions on paper within a week of a setback, while the details are still fresh. You may be surprised at how quickly a painful memory turns into a practical plan. And if you would like to share your answers, our submissions page explains how.
Giving Back After a Setback: How Helping Others Rebuilds Confidence
By the FanOfFailure Team ·
After a major setback, it is tempting to pull back from the world until you feel “ready” again. The problem is that readiness rarely arrives on its own. Confidence tends to come back through action, and one of the most reliable actions you can take is helping someone else.
Volunteering works for a few reasons. First, it gives you a clear, achievable task at a time when bigger goals may feel out of reach. Finishing that task, however small, is a reminder that you are still capable. Second, it shifts your attention outward. Instead of replaying what went wrong, you are focused on what someone else needs right now. Third, it reconnects you with people – and isolation is often what turns a temporary failure into a long slump.
There is also a quieter benefit. When you help someone through a difficult moment, you often recognise your own experience in theirs. The lessons you learned the hard way suddenly have a purpose. That is what we mean by giving back through life-changing experiences: the change goes both ways.
If you are working your way back from a setback, consider giving a few hours to a cause you care about. And if you would like to volunteer with our community, get in touch – we would love to hear from you.
Write for the FanOfFailure Blog
Have a lesson you learned the hard way? We publish honest, first-person stories from our community.