Failure is Feedback
Reframe Your Thinking and Improve Your Results
I'm generally optimistic and see the best in most situations. But sometimes, I wake up after a sleepless night worrying about all the problems I have to face. It's hard to shake this feeling, and it can ruin my whole day if I don't intentionally stop myself.
When you encounter a problem that you don't know how to solve, what's your approach? Here are three choices:
Blame others. But this doesn't solve the problem. It just shifts the focus away from ourselves and onto other people. At my worst, I lash out at my loved ones and others, taking out my problems on them.
Focus on our shortcomings. Zig Ziglar said, “The most influential person you will talk to all day, is you. So you should be very careful what you say to you.” If you already tend towards a negative self-image, this approach will only confirm your worst fears. It's like sticking a knife in your side and twisting it over and over again.
Ask yourself, “What is this situation asking of me?” Or said another way, “What am I being asked to grow into? What skills am I being asked to develop?” The truth is, you aren’t born with the ability to deal with every life situation. We learn from failing, learning, and making adjustments.
When I’m intentional, it is amazing how well choice #3 has worked for me. This approach allows me to control the meaning I give to whatever problem I'm facing. I recently used it with a work challenge, and it put me in a much better frame of mind to come up with solutions instead of beating myself up. I grew because I was able to focus on how I could improve the situation moving forward instead of dwelling on what I wish I would have done in the past.
You will undoubtedly face challenges this week. You get to choose how you respond to them. You can shift your mindset from a wounded place of victimhood to a place that allows you to expand your creativity and grow.
Give Choice #3 a try and let me know how it goes. Leave a comment below or send me a note. Make it an exceptional week!
Another great one! Thank you! You will soon have to add "guru" as an honorific to your name :)