How to Flip the Script on Failure | Think Better. Live Braver. series part 2 | Ep 378
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Flip the Script on Failure
I used to treat failure like a lurking villain.
If I planned hard enough and prayed long enough, maybe, just maybe, I could outrun it.
But somewhere between overthinking and “I’ll start tomorrow,” I realized something big:
I wasn’t avoiding failure.
I was avoiding action…which lead to failure.
Hello, self-fulfilling prophecy!
Then one day I heard this question that flipped my brain upside down:
“How could this fail?”
At first, I thought, Wait, what? That sounds like something my inner critic would say after three cups of coffee and a bad idea. But hang with me, because that one question changed how I think about success, goals, and faith itself.
Think Better Before You Try Harder
A business leader once said that the most successful people don’t just plan for success, they plan for failure. And I thought, “Okay, that’s bold.”
But the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like what Romans 12:2 reminds us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Renewing our minds isn’t about thinking more; it’s about thinking better. It’s learning to partner with Father in how we plan, prepare, and problem-solve.
Because courageous women don’t just hope it works out, we prepare with Father so we can walk it out.
Why Focusing on Success Can Backfire
When we lock in on the outcome, our brains go into overdrive. We start thinking about all the things we can’t control.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes: your amygdala (the little almond-shaped fear center of your brain) lights up like a Christmas tree and whispers, “Don’t mess this up. You’re going to fail just like last time.”
Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.
But when that happens, cortisol floods your body, your thoughts tighten up, and suddenly you’re not creating from faith anymore—you’re creating from fear.
That’s where Proverbs 14:15 gives us a little wisdom check:
“The naive believes everything, but the sensible person considers his steps.”
In other words, wise women don’t just dream about outcomes; they consider their steps. Flip-the-script thinking is about that: learning to see the potential pitfalls before they trip us up.
Courageous Practice #1: Ask Better Questions
So, how do we start flipping our thoughts?
We start by asking better questions.
Instead of “How can I make this work?” try “How could this fail?” or even “How might I sabotage this?”
I know it sounds backward, but when we’re brave enough to name what could go wrong, we invite wisdom in.
Your brain (that smart prefrontal cortex part) lights up and starts searching for patterns and possibilities.
You’re training your mind to see obstacles and then you can turn them into opportunities.
When I asked this question about a recent launch that didn’t go the way I hoped, I realized I’d been inconsistent, distracted, and trying to do it all solo. It wasn’t the launch that failed; I just hadn’t followed through.
And the beautiful part? Once I saw it, I could fix it.
When we ask better questions, we get better answers.
Courageous Practice #2: Flip the Fail to Faith
Okay, you’ve done the mental work. Now it’s time to get your mouth involved because what we speak shapes what we see.
Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words are like steering wheels; they point our hearts and our habits.
Take the list of potential pitfalls you wrote down in Practice #1 and flip them into “I choose” statements. This is where you start partnering with faith instead of fear.
I choose to market consistently and trust God with results.
I choose to communicate honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
I choose to protect my rest and energy.
I choose to make space to hear Father daily.
When you say these truths out loud, your brain literally listens. The auditory part fires up, the body responds, and your actions start lining up with your words. You’re re-training your brain to act from faith, not fear.
I like to think of this as my spiritual pep talk because if I’m not coaching my own thoughts with truth, my inner critic will gladly take the mic.
Once you’ve asked the right questions, flip the answers. Don’t just see the pitfalls; speak the possibility. Take responsibility for what you can do, and let Father handle what you can’t.
When I looked back at that “failed” launch, I realized it wasn’t the launch that failed, it was that I didn’t show up consistently. So I flipped it and said, “I choose to show up consistently and trust God with results.” That small shift changed everything.
Flip-the-script thinking turns fear into foresight and failure into feedback.
Courageous Practice #3: Take Action
Now comes the part that separates thinkers from doers.
James 2:17 says, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”
Faith isn’t just believing; it’s moving. It’s trusting Father enough to take the step even when you can’t see the full path.
Clarity without action? That’s just fancy procrastination.
So, take the steps…and messy counts.
Send the message.
Post the video.
Follow up with the client.
Say the brave yes—or the healthy no.
When you do, Hebrews 11:1 comes alive:
“Faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.”
Courage grows through movement. Confidence shows up after the action.
And bonus, God built a little celebration system right into your brain. When you take the step, dopamine releases. That “you did it!” energy fuels your next one.
A Real-Life Flip
That failed launch of mine? The one that started this whole shift?
It wasn’t the end; it was my teacher.
Once I stopped sulking (and stopped eating my feelings in the form of late-night Halloween candy binges), I asked, “How could this fail?”
Turns out, I’d failed to prepare for success.
I changed my plan, owned my part, and I’ll try again.
It’s time for wisdom over wishful thinking.
Courageous women don’t pretend it’s easy, we prepare with Father and move anyway.
Your Courageous Action
Romans 8:1 reminds us,
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
So give yourself grace as you grow. This isn’t about getting it perfect—it’s about getting honest, partnering with Father, and practicing courage one step at a time.
Step 1: Ask Better Questions
Start with one goal, habit, or area where you feel stuck.
Grab your journal and write down the question, “How could this fail?” or “How might I sabotage this?”
List every possibility that comes to mind. Maybe it’s procrastination, overcommitting, or fear of rejection. Don’t filter or fix it yet—just name it. The goal is to shine light on what’s been hiding in the dark so you can invite wisdom in.
Step 2: Flip the Fail to Faith
Look back at what you wrote and turn each obstacle into an “I choose” statement.
For example:
If I avoid follow-ups, → “I choose to follow up with confidence and trust Father with results.”
If I overthink instead of act, → “I choose to take one step today, even if it’s messy.”
If I let fear talk me out of showing up, → “I choose to move forward in faith, not fear.”
Say them out loud. Your brain listens to your mouth, and your heart will follow.
Step 3: Take Action
Now that you’ve asked and flipped, it’s time to move.
Choose one action that reflects your “I choose” statements and do it today. It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished—just intentional.
Send the message. Post the offer. Reconnect with the person you’ve been avoiding. Write the next page of your book.
Faith isn’t theory; it’s movement. And every small act of obedience builds courage for the next one.
Because when you ask with wisdom, speak with faith, and move with purpose, you won’t just flip the script on failure—you’ll start writing a whole new story.
Show Notes
🗓 Summary
You’re doing “all the things,” but results aren’t lining up. In Part 2 of Think Better. Live Braver., we practice flip the script thinking—ask wiser questions, speak faith with “I choose,” and take movement that builds momentum. Scripture + science to help you move with Father—one faithful step at a time.
✨ Who This Is For
Faith-driven women entrepreneurs tired of perfectionism, procrastination, and fear stealing momentum.
🔎 What You’ll Learn
How to use “How could this fail?” without spiraling
Why I choose statements re-train your brain
How action creates motivation (not the other way around)
A simple 3-step plan to move this week
💬 Sound Bites
“We’re not predicting disaster; we’re preparing with wisdom.”
“Your brain is listening to your mouth.”
“Clarity without action is fancy procrastination.”
“Confidence grows through action.”
🛠️ Courageous Action
Ask: How could this fail / how could I self-sabotage?
Flip to I choose statements.
Take one specific action today.
⏱️ Chapters
00:06 – Opener: When “doing all the right things” still isn’t working
01:49 – Topic Breakdown: Flip-the-Script (Inversion) Thinking
11:07 – Courageous Practice #1: Ask Better Questions
18:15 – Courageous Practice #2: Flip the Fail into Faith
26:21 – Courageous Practice #3: Take Action
30:06 – Recap: From Mind to Mouth to Movement
32:03 – Courageous Action: Flip It in Real Life
35:51 – Free 5 day Overcome Fear by Friday Video Challenge
🎉 Who Am I
Hey friend, I’m Heather—your Courageous Coach. I help Christian women entrepreneurs go from stuck, not-enough, and fearful to focused, confident, and courageous action so they can grow themselves and their businesses. I also help coaches, speakers, and authors turn ideas into systems and books that create impact and income.
💡 Let’s Stay Connected
📖 Hello Courageous Book: hellocourageous.com
🛒 Get on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oSc855
🆓 Beat Procrastination Cheat Sheet • hellocourageous.com/beatit
🆓 Overcome Fear by Friday Challenge • hellocourageous.com/fearchallenge
🌐 Website: heatherbunch.com
📧 Email: hello@heatherbunch.com
📸 Instagram: @heatherlbunch