It's Time To Fail Fast

It’s easy getting caught up in the constant motion and never-ending to-do lists being a college

student in today’s fast-paced world. I find myself racing against the clock trying to reach my goals as fast

as possible. I fall victim to the need for instant gratification. We have learned to look for the right

answers. But what if we don’t know the right answer? What if the right answer isn’t right there in front

of us? My first reaction is to freeze.

I freeze because I’m scared. Scared of being wrong and scared of being judged. A lot of us won’t play

unless we know we can win, but how are we ever going to learn the game? Exercising and embracing

the process of creativity has taught me the power of failing fast.

Creativity takes time, and there’s no time to waste when taking that first step. It’s okay if it’s a step in

the wrong direction, at least you know. My biggest creativity fails happen when I’m afraid to start.

Mainly because I run out of time for a second try. Creativity deserves many tries. Rarely are we right the

first time, so why wait! Take that step and fail fast.

Failing fast means learning fast. I’ve learned that failing and learning are the same. The sooner we fail

means the sooner we learn. If you truly value time, you’ll find that failing fast is just as valuable.

Nikki White

Year: Sophomore

Major: Finance and Entrepreneurship

Hometown: Barrington, IL

Fun Fact: I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Illinois in high school!