In our professional journey, there are times when we feel stuck, knowing we must grow to reach the next stage but feeling unsure how to do so, trapped in confusion. If this resonates with you, you are not alone.

Rather than sharing a management book, this time, I want to talk about a Japanese comics called World Trigger. In the story, there’s a subplot about an ordinary team member striving to improve their performance and seeking a breakthrough. While this isn’t part of the main storyline and the character isn’t part of the protagonist group, the message it conveys has stayed with me. Here are some key takeaways I’ve gathered:

There’s No “Right Answer” to Growth

Growth relies on both personal reflection and external knowledge, and balancing these is crucial. Over-relying on personal reflection limits us to our own experiences, as discussed in earlier learning techniques. On the other hand, depending solely on external knowledge without critical thinking makes it impossible to use that knowledge flexibly. Reflection is essentially the process of digesting external knowledge. True personal growth comes from thinking things through. Even if someone gives you advice, unless you internalize it, even the correct answer won’t be of much use. Only by finding your own answer through thoughtful reflection can genuine growth occur.

Without Deadlines, We Fail to Recognize Our Failures

Have you ever set a weight-loss goal without a specific deadline, felt no urgency, and ended up skipping workouts or eating as usual? Even if the goal isn’t met, as long as you occasionally exercise, you might still feel like you’re making progress, content with your perceived effort. This is what the book refers to as “standing still.”

People need to recognize what they’ve “lost” to understand failure—be it effort, money, time, or even reputation and trust. It’s only after experiencing such losses that we realize a goal hasn’t been achieved. Without deadlines, we tend to ignore the valuable time slipping away, believing that future success will justify all efforts. This illusion of no loss leads us to postpone evaluating success or failure indefinitely, making it harder to reflect and improve.

Conversely, setting deadlines creates a sense of urgency. We all know “deadline warriors” who rely on this urgency to deliver results on time. This sense of urgency not only boosts action but also forces us to confront reality, reducing unnecessary distractions and compelling us to choose the most direct path to our goal.

Fail Fast, Fix Fast

Looking back at our academic years, most people disliked exams because they meant facing the risk of failure. Yet exams remain a fair and effective tool. Unfortunately, they also leave a lasting impact—making us subconsciously fear mistakes in the workplace. However, growth inevitably comes with failure, and facing failure is the fastest way to grow. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s time to rethink our bias against mistakes. Innovation and errors go hand in hand; the correct approach is to fail fast and fix fast.

Simon So

Chief Experience Officer of Hantec Group