Failing Forward Isn’t the Same as Stepping Back

Failing Forward

Failure has long been misunderstood as a signal to stop, retreat, or question your worth. But in the world of coaching, we take a very different view. The phrase “failing forward isn’t the same as stepping back” captures something crucial: not all failures are setbacks, and not all movement is progress. What matters most is how you respond.

Failing forward means moving through failure with intention. It’s the process of stumbling, pausing, learning, and then adjusting course toward your goal. You’re still moving forward - even if you’re doing it with scraped knees and some uncertainty. It’s not polished, but it’s progress. For example, when someone applies for a job and doesn’t get it, they might reflect on the experience, identify what to improve, and approach the next opportunity better prepared. That is failure working in service of growth.

Contrast that with stepping back. Stepping back happens when failure is internalized as a sign that you’re not capable or that the goal isn’t worth pursuing. It’s a retreat from effort - not because it’s part of a strategic reset, but because you’ve allowed doubt or discouragement to take the wheel. You might avoid similar situations in the future, convince yourself you’re not ready, or disengage from your own ambitions. This is not the same as rest or regrouping; it’s avoidance dressed up as self-protection.

From a psychological perspective, this distinction matters deeply. When we see failure as part of a learning process, we remain in motion. We cultivate a mindset that values iteration over perfection. That’s at the heart of what Carol Dweck calls a “growth mindset”: the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, strategy, and learning from mistakes.

To fail forward is to say, “This didn’t work - and I’m still going.” It requires self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the willingness to be uncomfortable. It asks us to reframe failure not as evidence of inadequacy, but as a natural, even necessary, part of growth.

So the next time you hit a wall, ask yourself: Am I stepping back because I’ve failed, or am I failing forward by using this experience to take a better-informed step? One keeps you stuck. The other keeps you growing. The difference, though subtle, changes everything.