Let’s be curious - reframing Failure
Fear of failure is all too common. There’s judgment, mostly from yourself. I could have done better. I didn’t think it through. I feel like an idiot. I feel less than. What will people think?
Meanwhile, everyone else is impressed that you made the effort and put your all into it. They think it took courage and wish they were brave enough to try it, whatever “it” is. In fact, they are beating themselves up for not trying to make a go of it. And so it goes. Even folks who are impressed with your efforts are beating themselves up and feel like a failure.
Fear of failure is so embedded in our psyches that it stops us in our tracks. It’s like touching a hot burner. I won’t do that again.
What if you gave yourself permission to fail? Seriously. What if you changed your mindset about failure and approached it from curiosity? Treat it like an experiment - what if I tried this or this or this? What would happen? Ok, that didn’t quite work. What if I tried it this way? How much better would that be? How much more open to possibility would you be if you took the fear out of the equation?
Ok, I’m not naive. A little angst is in order and probably healthy. It can certainly motivate you. And I know there are real-life consequences and others to think about. Yet, I can’t help thinking that a new approach may be the way to go.
Let’s explore what this shift in mindset can do for you.
Encourages innovation and creativity - When you're not afraid to fail, you're more likely to take risks and think outside the box. It enables you to explore new ideas and approaches without the fear of judgment. Some of the greatest inventions and breakthroughs have come from those who dared to fail.
Cultivates a growth mindset - By embracing failure, you shift your focus from seeking approval to seeking improvement. What would happen if I changed this one thing?
Supports curiosity and learning - Every failure carries a learning. By approaching it from curiosity, you are analyzing it for data on how you can do it differently next time. It opens the door to possibility and the sting of failure becomes an afterthought.
Builds Resilience - Failure tests your limits and pushes you to develop resilience. Facing setbacks head-on and pushing your boundaries, allows you to bounce back stronger and more determined each time you face challenges.
Builds self-confidence - When you realize that failure is not the end but rather a part of the journey, you become more courageous. You begin to realize that even if you stumble, you can recover and continue moving forward.
Fosters authenticity - Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Admitting to failure and sharing your experiences with others will build trust with your community. People can relate to your struggles. After all, we’ve all decided that we’ve failed at something. It’s relatable.
Reduces stress and anxiety - The constant pressure to succeed can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. So give yourself permission to fail. It will release some pressure and make it easier to manage expectations.
Reframes the narrative - When you view failure as part of the process rather than a setback, you change your relationship with it. Each failure becomes a valuable part of your story, contributing to your ultimate success. This reframing helps you stay the course, even when the path is challenging.
Failure is an integral part of growth and success. Stay curious and you open the door to possibilities for learning, innovation, and personal development.