When was the last time you failed at work?
Some people will answer right away having fresh in mind the last time they missed a deadline, did something wrong in a presentation or couldn’t deliver a report. No matter how much experience and knowledge we have, some of the things we do won’t have the desired outcome.
Some people instead will not be able to answer this question. This is not because they never fail, but because they almost don’t have this word in their vocabulary. They approach failure in a different way and somehow they manage to concentrate on the next thing they want or need to do. These are usually the people we consider successful.
So, coming back to the first question: Why some people seem to never fail?
One of the reasons is because they have a different attitude towards failure.
Failure is normal and we can control it
Failure is most of the times a matter of expectations and perspective. It’s up to us to consider a setback the end of the world or a phase in reaching what we want.
Instead of being frustrated about having failed, a much more constructive approach is to say: '' I couldn't succeed this time. What could I do better next time?''
Take responsibility
Blaming others will not help. This will position us in the role of the victim from which is hard to get out. As we can't control what others think or do, the only attitude that will bring us forward is to take responsibility for what happened and figure out what WE should've done differently.
Learn the lessons
It is vital that we don’t repeat the same mistakes especially in a professional context. This can only be done when we are ready to find out the factors that led to our inability to complete a project or assignment properly.
Accept the failure and ask for help if necessary
Not being successful in a situation will not take anything from what we are as a person. This is what most people don't understand and therefore will try to hide or never accept their mistakes. Overcoming our setbacks instead will make us grow and add value to our professional and personal experience.
Asking for help from our team members is a matter of trust. We need to trust that they will be willing to help. At the same time asking for their help will consolidate the trust within the team.
Move on
The time spent thinking at our failure after realizing what we could have done differently, is a wasted time.
All the compassion of our colleagues and friends, all the bad feelings and frustrations that we have will not actually make us get out of the situation. What will bring us forward is a positive attitude and the confidence that the experience gained will make us ready for the new challenges.
''I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.'' Thomas A. Edison
