A Bias for Action Can Overcome a Spirit of Fear

There is a great irony in our educational system and culture at large: the most successful people—those living with meaning, purpose, and growth—have countless stories of failure along the way. And yet, most students pass through school learning to fear failure and avoid it at all costs.

If we want our students to engage deeply and build meaningful lives, we must create environments where it’s okay to fail. In fact, we should actively encourage risk-taking and decisive action, even when the outcome is uncertain. Because growth comes not from playing it safe, but from trying boldly.

This principle is echoed in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear of failure often signals that we’re venturing into growth territory. When we accept that comfort and growth cannot coexist, we become more willing—if we truly desire to grow—to embrace discomfort and challenge ourselves.

This is even more true for our students. If we allow them to retreat in fear, we rob them of the joy of the attempt—of taking action, of doing, of forging ahead. One of the key traits that defines entrepreneurial thinkers is a bias for action. When in doubt, entrepreneurs act. They know it’s better to make a decision—even if it proves wrong—than to make none at all.

Here are Two Ways to Start Redefining Failure in Your Classroom Today:

1. “Launch Fast, Learn Fast” Projects

What it looks like:
Give students 2–3 class periods to identify a problem, develop a product or service idea, build a scrappy prototype (using paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, etc.), and pitch it to peers or teachers.

Why it matters:
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Reflection focuses on what worked, what flopped, and what they’d do differently next time. These mini-projects align with design thinking and help build empathy, creativity, and resilience.

2. Create a “Fail Forward Wall”

What it looks like:
Designate a space in your classroom where students can post their “failures” and the lessons they learned. These might include a project that didn’t work, a tryout that didn’t go as hoped, or an idea that fell flat.

Why it matters:
This normalizes failure as a stepping stone to growth. Be sure to highlight risk-based failures (not just mistakes due to lack of effort), and you’ll cultivate a culture of iteration, courage, and reflection.

When our students embrace a new definition of failure, they begin to truly flourish. Let’s build classrooms where action is valued, risk is encouraged, and failure is simply part of the journey.

Ready to redefine failure?

Connect with me to get started.