I used to be the sort of person where if I didn’t think I could do something well with ease, I just wouldn’t try. That way, when I failed, it was my lack of effort not because the task was hard. I don’t think it was until I opened the shop that I got really used to failing. I still might try not to play basketball with you but, I’m much more comfortable with being terrible at something. I’ve recently been telling myself and kids at the shop that you’re the worst you’ll even be at whatever you’re doing. Failure, reflection, and practice makes you better, more comfortable, and more capable. Failure is a part of life. How we handle it matters. It doesn’t mean it won’t feel icky, it might, and it will pass. Discomfort sometimes is the best way to move us forward.
It’s hard not to want to protect our kids from failure. We hate to see them hurt. But, if we can help kids get comfortable with failure, they can learn to see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Something to Think About…
Four Stages of Coping with Failure:
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Recognize and accept your feelings. It’s ok to feel all your feelings after failing.
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Take responsibility for your contribution to whatever failed.
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Don’t dwell. Reflect, revise, and move on. Try not to worry too much about what others think.
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Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and see if you can learn something.