--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wish I could say I coined the phrase…" description: "\"I wish I could say I coined the phrase \"failing forward.\" I do it all the time. I find as I've embraced this approach to business, life, cycling and ge..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/john-c-maxwell-113_approach_i-wish-i-could-say-i-coined-the-phrase-f_961292.jpg" --- # I wish I could say I coined the phrase "failing forward."… ![“I wish I could say I coined the phrase "failing forward." I do it all the time. I find as I've embraced this approach to business, life, cycling and generally any new endeavor I take on, I've grown more and more comfortable with the possibility that I am not likely to succeed on my first try. And…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/john-c-maxwell-113_approach_i-wish-i-could-say-i-coined-the-phrase-f_961292.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/john-c-maxwell-113_approach_i-wish-i-could-say-i-coined-the-phrase-f_961292.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/john-c-maxwell-113_approach_i-wish-i-could-say-i-coined-the-phrase-f_961292.jpg) > “I wish I could say I coined the phrase "failing forward." I do it all the time. I find as I've embraced this approach to business, life, cycling and generally any new endeavor I take on, I've grown more and more comfortable with the possibility that I am not likely to succeed on my first try. And that's ok.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embracing failure as a learning tool makes repeated attempts more comfortable and productive. **In simple terms:** Failing forward means learning from each attempt. Key Takeaway Accept failure as part of growth. Themes resilience growth mindset learning entrepreneurship Mood determined optimistic reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - starting a new business - learning a sport - launching a product - career change Key Concepts Iterative improvement risk tolerance self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn a specific failure into actionable insight? - What habits help you stay motivated after setbacks? A Different Perspective Success still requires strategic planning, not just repeated attempts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-life/) [Cycling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cycling/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Because in life, the question is not if you will have problems, but how you are going to deal with them. Stop failing backward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/because-in-life-the-question-is-not-if-you-will-have-problems-but-how/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Failing forward is the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down, learn from your mistake, and move forward in a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/failing-forward-is-the-ability-to-get-back-up-after-you-ve-been/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The secret to failing isn't failing; the secret to failing is failing forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-white/the-secret-to-failing-isn-t-failing-the-secret-to-failing-is-failing/) [Royce White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-white/) > [The essence of man is imperfection. Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-essence-of-man-is-imperfection-failure-is-simply-a-price-we-pay/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Failing wouldnt be so bad if you keep on failing but still move forward...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/medel-b-limbag/failing-wouldnt-be-so-bad-if-you-keep-on-failing-but-still-move/) MEDEL B LIMBAG > [“Remember that, in reality, there is no failure, only feedback, and that if we learn from our failures, we are actually failing forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-morales/remember-that-in-reality-there-is-no-failure-only-feedback-and-that/) [Gil Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-morales/) > [“In life, the question is not if you will have problems, but how you are going to deal with your problems. If the possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maxwell/in-life-the-question-is-not-if-you-will-have-problems-but-how-you-are/) [John Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maxwell/) > [If you keep your mind active, regularly take on mental challenges, and continually think about the right things, you will develop the disciplined thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-keep-your-mind-active-regularly-take-on-mental-challenges-and/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed-than-one-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [When I graduated from Santa Monica High in 1927, I was voted the girl most likely to succeed. I didn't realize it would take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-stuart/when-i-graduated-from-santa-monica-high-in-1927-i-was-voted-the-girl/) [Gloria Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-stuart/) > [“Have you ever helped anyone? Do you believe in help? 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Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. 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Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Approach quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. 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I try to understand the emotional graph of the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pratik-gandhi/i-don-t-have-any-particular-method-my-approach-is-very-simple-i-try/) [Pratik Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pratik-gandhi/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everything, every part that you approach has to be somehow rooted in yourself. You have to somehow root everything so that it's not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judi-dench/everything-every-part-that-you-approach-has-to-be-somehow-rooted-in/) [Judi Dench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judi-dench/) > [Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates systematically from everyday speech. 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