Emeka Nweze
Failure is one of the main hindrances to growth, and can often lead to self doubt, even more failure and sometimes depression. While it takes a really strong person to constantly come out of a set back unscathed, it is not impossible.
Everyone experiences failure once, twice or countless times in their lives and work, so that really isn’t an issue. What matters is how you take in these set backs and how you bounce back from them. Since failure is somewhat normal, you should learn to deal with them appropriately so as not constantly dwell on them and further use the flop to your advantage.
Here are seven tips to help you deal with failure at work and make the best out of it.
1. You are not a failure
That fact that you experienced a few setbacks does not necessarily make you a perpetual failure. It is what you make out from those failures that really matter. The path to success comes with stumbling blocks and hurdles, so failure is normal and everyone experiences it.
2. Carry it ‘with your chest”
Usually, your first instinct when you mess up at work is to keep mute and hope no one finds out. That is in fact a bad idea because sooner or later that failure will be out in the open. Moreover it becomes worse if someone else points out your failure because it might depict you as a coward who is not bold enough to own up to short comings. Carry your failure with your chest, inform those who should know and give yourself peace of mind wile you fix up your errors.
3. No excuse, just own up
We are often tempted to give excuses whenever we make a mistake or miss a deadline. It is better you offer explanations rather than give excuses and blame your failure on someone or something. Owning your mistakes might make your superiors overlook your failure as well as boost your image. Less excuses show confidence, accountability, integrity and maturity.
4. Perspective
Instead constantly blaming your failure on physical traits like lack of intelligence and laziness, focus on the immediate causes like oversight or lateness. Blaming failure on physical traits gives the idea that you are not in control and there’s every chance that such mistake or failure will happen again.
5. Learn
Yes this is cliché , I know, but it is germane. How else will you bounce back from failure if you don’t learn from your mistakes? Learning will ensure that you don’t make the same blunders another time.
6. Move on immediately
There is no point mulling and sulking over a failure as it won’t make things better. Accept the fact that you have experienced a set back and avoid being stuck in the same thoughts. Dust yourself and look for ways to fix up your mess and move on from it.
7. Have a plan to prevent future failures
Of course you don’t want to constantly experience these mess ups, so while you do the above listed tips, make sure to put in preventive measures like back up plans so that you do not end up making the same mistake.
