As an entrepreneur, I have failed at several things. I have also read and listened to many other people talk about failure, and here are some things I think are worth sharing to prepare for 2024. Humans will fail at something at some point in their lifetime. It cannot be avoided.
Failure might appear like an end for many people, but if you change the lens through which you view failure, it could become a game-changer in your life, career, and business.
- Normalise Failure
First, you must realize and acknowledge that everyone fails, and you will fail, too. It is a normal part of life and learning. Don’t look at it as a shameful event or refrain from talking about it. Instead, view it as a learning opportunity and a stepping stone to something bigger. If you get this perspective ingrained, you will be less hit when you fail at something. At least, if you fail, it is proof that you are trying to do something new, and trying new things should be a regular part of life.
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2. Share your failures and learn from them
Sometimes, when you fail at something, it takes another pair of eyes to look at it and tell you what you could have done better. As you try to analyze, analyze your failures, identify areas for improvement, and avoid repeating them, also share them with others. They could learn from your failures and sometimes even share perspectives you had not identified earlier. Sharing your failures authentically can connect you with others and foster empathy. When learning from a ‘failure event,’ don’t focus on what went wrong. Try to spot your strengths and what you did right in the situation.
3. Celebrate wins and keep moving forward
Celebrate small wins and acknowledge your progress, not just the final destination. Even if you did not get to where you want or achieve what you desired, you learned something.Keep moving forward. If you repeat the same task, you now have the advantage of experience. You know what will not work.
4. Laugh at the Humor and be kind to Yourself
Learn to laugh at yourself and find the humor in unexpected situations. This can lighten the mood and reduce stress. There is almost always something to laugh about, even when you fail at something. Also, be kind to yourself during difficult times. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Treat yourself with the same understanding and support you would offer a friend.
5. Hone your grit and resilience
The ability to bounce back after failing at something depends on these two. And you might also want to consider defining your success metrics. Society tags certain events that you do not necessarily have to adopt. Define what success would mean to you. Focus on what truly matters to you and brings you fulfillment.
To sum it up in a few words, life is full of surprises. If you let yourself stay down every time you experience something bad, you will miss out on the good and greater ones ahead. You can be almost sure that you will fail at something in 2024. But you will also succeed at several things. Don’t let the failures keep you down. Keep an open mind. Keep a positive attitude.