Growth Mindset: The Heart of Failure

"As a species, we are not very good at coping with failure." It was this quote that caught my attention from the article "Behavior Research Illuminates the Very Human Heart of When, Why, and How we Fail" by Cassie Werber. And it is true, for myself at least. I absolutely hate it when I fail at something - especially when I try really, really hard. 

When considering how to handle failure, first conceptualize it. What is the problem? Now, if this were a friend's problem, how would you tell them to go about solving it? Separating the problem from yourself can make it easier to handle.

Crossroads: Success or Failure. (Source: Chris Potter)

We really shouldn't be afraid of failure, though, because it oftentimes leads to successful solutions. You need to look at your problem as an experiment: there may be some mistakes, learn from them. 

Know when your failures are telling you something deeper: you are no longer benefitting from the attempt. Maybe your approach is wrong, and if it is you need to stop an reevaluate things. It can be hard, but don't dig a deeper hole than you need to!

Another way to look at failure is to decide what you really want. If you are seeking something with the wrong motivation, you are bound to fail (diet to become skinny vs. diet to become healthy). Imagining something worthwhile will give you the extra boost you need to accomplish your goals - failure free!