How to Handle Failure

Failure… dunt, dunt, duuuuun – the one thing that most people fear, but must face at some point in our lives. It’s inevitable. 

First, it’s essential to remember that failure is not the end of the world. In fact, it can be a great teacher if we allow it to be. The key is to use the failure to learn. It’s easy to get caught up in our emotions when we fail, but it’s important to differentiate between the failures created in our mind and those that are factual.

To do this, we need to get specific about what happened. Don’t be vague! Give yourself time to process and even dwell on the situation for a pre-set amount of time. Consider setting a time limit that you will allow yourself to be upset, depending on the situation. There are many ways to process emotion, so find what works best for you.

Now, let’s ask ourselves four essential questions when processing failure:

Why did this happen?

1. If you haven’t fully processed your emotions, the answer will be full of criticism, judgment, and even excuses. But if you have processed your emotions, the answer will be logical and factual.

Could I have achieved success, and if so, how?

2. This question is tricky because you might be tempted to say, “I don’t know.” However, take a step back and evaluate the situation. Could you have done something differently? Was there a better approach?

What is there to learn from this?

3. This question is perhaps the most crucial of them all. Take the lessons you’ve learned and apply them to your next venture. Don’t be afraid to take risks, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.

Where do I go next?

4. Finally, it’s time to pick yourself up and move forward. Failure doesn’t define you; it’s just a part of the journey. So, dust yourself off and get back out there. You never know what opportunities await you.

In conclusion, failure is a natural part of life, and it happens to the best of us. But it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the road. Use failure to learn, be specific about what happened, and ask yourself the four essential questions: why did this happen, could I have achieved success, what is there to learn from this, and where do I go next?

So, my dear readers, let’s embrace failure and all its lessons. And remember, if at first, you don’t succeed, try and try again!