Why does Naval say, "Failure is just a process of iteration"?

Hey friends, I'm glad you're interested in Naval's perspective—this is truly a mind-shifting "thought experiment" that can transform how you see things.

Let’s talk about why Naval says "failure is just part of the iteration process."

First, forget the "failure" we've been taught since childhood

Think about it: from a young age, haven’t we always associated the word "failure" with negative ideas? Like:

Failing a test
Losing a competition
Ruining something
“It's over, all hope is lost”

Traditionally, "failure" feels like hitting a dead end with a sign screaming "NO EXIT." It’s a final stop, an unwanted verdict.

Naval’s perspective: See the world like a programmer or scientist

Now, switch gears. Naval asks us to temporarily erase "failure" from our minds and replace it with a new word: iteration。

"Iteration" is everywhere in programming and product development. Ever updated your phone app? From Version 1.0 to 1.1, then 2.0—each update is an iteration

Version 1.0 might be buggy and limited. Is that failure? Nope, it’s just the first draft.
Developers collect user feedback (e.g., crashes/clunky UX), fix bugs, add features, and release Version 1.1.
New issues emerge? Improve again → Version 2.0.

See? This process doesn’t include "failure"—only "problem discovery" and "the next version will be better."

Naval argues that our lives, careers, and learning can mirror this continuous "version release" cycle.

Real-world examples make it click

1. Like learning to cook

First try (V1.0): Follow a recipe for Cola chicken wings → oversalted.
Old mindset: "I’m terrible at cooking! Total failure!" → likely gives up.
Iteration mindset: "Feedback received: Recipe’s salt quota is too high for me. Noted for Version 1.0."
Next try (V2.0): Halve the salt → perfection! Congrats—you’ve iterated "Cola Wings" to a better version!

The "oversalted" outcome wasn’t failure—it was a crucial data point and valuable feedback toward success.

2. Like gaming

First try (V1.0): Battle a tough Boss. Unfamiliar attack pattern → defeated in 3 hits.
Old mindset: "Game’s too hard! I suck!" → rage quits.
Iteration mindset: "Intel gathered: Boss raises hand before ground smash. Saved for V1.0."
Next try (V2.0): Dodge first attack → still hit by second move.
Attempt N (V N.0): After countless "deaths" (rapid iterations), master all patterns → victory.

Each "death" isn’t failure—it’s critical intel collected for the eventual win.

Why does this mindset matter?

Reframing "failure" as "iteration" sparks a powerful shift:

Lighter mental load: "Failure" feels crushing, breeding fear of trying. "Iteration" feels like playful experimentation → encourages action.
Focus on learning: You skip "I messed up" drama → jump straight to "What did I learn? How to improve V2.0?" → accelerates growth.
Growth mindset: You believe skills aren’t fixed. Each iteration makes you stronger → builds resilience against challenges.

To wrap up

Naval’s core message ("failure is just iteration") invites us to redefine "failure"

Don’t see it as an execution→ See it as:

Free, invaluable data and feedback collected to build a better V2.0 of YOU—or your product, project, or skill.

So next time things go sideways, don’t declare "I failed."
Try this instead:
"Alright, this is V1.0—a bit rough. Let’s gather data and prep for V2.0!"

Hope this helps!