As a Product Designer, I learned a lot from my failures. Sometimes, I struggled to understand the client's requirements, or I underestimated the complexity of a project. I also had a tendency to take on more than I could handle and not ask for extensions, even when the task was too challenging or the timeframe was unrealistic.
One example of this was during my work with SharePoint. I agreed to remove a navigational element without realising that it was part of the Microsoft domain and creating a custom solution would be intrusive to the client's environment. I created a design for the environment without the element, which pleased the clients, but we encountered problems during implementation. Ultimately, I couldn't deliver what I had promised and worked hard on.
Although it was disheartening to see my efforts go to waste, I learned a valuable lesson from this experience. Failure taught me to be more careful when accepting tasks and to communicate more effectively with clients to avoid misunderstandings.
This experience drilled into me the value of understanding the restrictions a team might be given and not everything under the sky can be delivered.
Sometimes it has to be no when asked if it can be done. But make sure to give a proper justification on why. Clients have understood the countless times I've said no due to constraints.
Failure also taught me how to face a setback and ensure the whole project doesn't suffer just because one piece did not work out.
This experience also emphasized the importance of having clear communication with clients and distinguishing between what is feasible and what is not feasible from the outset. It taught me to proactively filter requirements and prioritize features that can be released immediately, while reserving more complex ones for future updates.
My failures have been invaluable to my growth, and I don't regret experiencing them. I believe that one learns more from adversity than from success, and that getting back up after being knocked down builds character. I accept that mistakes are inevitable as a human being, but I don't let them define me. Instead, I use them as opportunities to learn and improve. I am a sum of my successes and my failures, and I am proud of who I am today.