Embracing Failure: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself
The Emotions of Failure
Ah yes, failure. The scary “F” word. I understand the fear. Nobody likes to fail, and nobody likes the feelings that failure brings. Feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, and frustration.
However, not only is it important to feel those emotions, it’s also necessary to learn how to reframe failure. The sooner you can reframe the way you see failure, the more capable you’ll be to handle it.
What Failure Truly Means
Failing at something does not mean that you’re stupid, bad, or any of the negative labels your brain comes up with. Failing just means whatever you tried didn’t work. And it certainly doesn’t mean you should give up.
Reframing Failure
Let’s reframe failure as a learning opportunity. Seeing failure as an opportunity to grow is how we can turn setbacks into steppingstones.
When we see failure as the end instead of as part of the process of learning, we are operating with a closed mindset. If we can learn to see failure through a growth mindset, it will help us to be more resilient and push us toward success.
A Growth Mindset and Failure
So how can you overcome failure with a growth mindset?
When you fail, a growth mindset will help prevent you from emotionally crumbling. The next time you experience failure, take a deep breath and evaluate the situation.
Ask Yourself These Questions Next Time You Fail
Ask yourself:
Is this really the end of the world? (Probably not).
What did I do well?
What can I learn from this experience?
The first question is important because it helps to ground you and prevent spiraling.
The second question is important because even when you fail, there are still good things that you did.
Lastly, the third question is important because when we fail, we want to see where we can grow.
Give these questions a try the next time you suffer a setback. Remember, failure is not the end, it’s just a new path for growth.
Working with a life coach can help you navigate failure a little easier. Reach out to me for a free 30-minute consultation and we can talk about creating a plan to help support you when you feel like you’re failing and how to move forward.