Don't Fear Failure, See It as 'First Attempts in Learning'
The word 'failure' can be paralyzing. But what if we changed our perspective? I've found it helpful to look at the words we use and how they shape our mindset. That's why I created the acronym F.A.I.L.: First Attempts in Learning. Write it down, put it on a Post-it note, and stick it on your board. When you feel a bit shaky, you have something to go back to.
Think about how you'd treat a friend. If they were trying something for the first time and didn't get it right, you'd encourage them. You'd remind them that it takes time to learn. We need to be just as kind to ourselves. Logically, we know we won't get everything perfect on the first try, but we can be so hard on ourselves when we don't.
Successful people aren't just lucky; they're brave. They're willing to try again and again. They see each attempt—whether it goes to plan or not—as a vital part of their growth. In my head, I like to think of failure as research. You can't learn from research unless you give something a go. Every time something doesn't go to plan, you learn from it, and that knowledge is priceless.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
Take a moment to jot down three things you're worried about trying.
Underneath each one, write down what you could learn from the experience, no matter the outcome.
Pick one and just give it a try. We're here to help, so let us know how it goes and what you learn!