Tips to regain confidence after failing
- By Sherilynn Macale -
- May 03, 2012
What methods can you use to boost your confidence when recovering from a setback? Read part two of our guest blog on how to recover from failure...
One of the most difficult parts about failing at a project you’ve invested your time and energy into is the blow to your confidence and self-esteem that accompanies it. If you’re anything like me, a good chunk of your pride and sense of self-worth goes into how successful you are at whatever you happen to put your mind to, and pursuing your own venture as a struggling entrepreneur is no exception to the rule.
It’s important, however, to remember that failure is only temporary, and only becomes permanent the moment you give up. Put on your big boy/girl pants and try again! Take those hits, but keep getting up. See your failures as learning experiences, and as a chance to iterate on the processes that may have led you to fail before. “Insanity” is defined as trying the same thing again and again but expecting different results every time - don’t be insane! Be realistic about what you are trying to achieve, and understand when you should give up and try something new.
Also, remember that there are some things you simply can’t control. For example, a consumer product you’re working on might be the perfect invention with the potential to revolutionize the world, but if public demand for whatever you happen to be producing suddenly drops, landing you in unexpected bankruptcy - this is not your fault! Don’t blame yourself for losses that you couldn’t have possibly predicted nor prevented. You are not God, and you can’t control the direction of earth’s rotation. Be mindful of your limits, and never blame yourself for matters that are out of your hands.
Finally, surround yourself with people who you trust, people who you admire, respect, and look up to, and people who will whole-heartedly support you and your endeavors despite your numerous failures. The world is full of Negative Nancys, and these Debbie Downers are sure to dampen your spirits and hinder you from being passionate about your next venture. But as musical artist Bob Marley once said after being shot in his own home two days before a public performance (and who defiantly walked out on stage anyway, by the way), “The people who are trying to make the world worse never take a day off. Why should I?”
Exactly.
Why should you?
So, Jasmine, how do you get back on the entrepreneurship horse after failing miserably? Do as Bob Marley did. Do as the Beatles, Oprah, and Einstein all did. That is: See your failures as temporary moments in your eventual journey to success. See these mere blips in your timeline as character-strengthening hiccups in your road to achieving victory. Believe in yourself, stay passionate and focused, and always remember that tomorrow is another day.
To leave you with one final quote that will, hopefully, put everything in perspective, “You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky.
So take those shots.
Take those risks.
Learn from your failures.
And reach for success again and again.
Always remember that you are in control of your own life, and no one and nothing can or will stand in your way unless you yourself hand over the power to these obstacles, allowing them to stop you. Your biggest enemy will always be yourself, so be strong, and keep going! Again, failure is temporary.
You’ve got this.
Image by Paige Kaitlyn. on Flickr
By Sherilynn Macale. Follow her on Facebook or catch her tweets at @heycheri
This guest blog complies to Virgin.com terms & conditions.
