18 answers
Ginise
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How to stop thinking about failure?
How do I stop myself from thinking about failure?
I know that if I don’t work hard enough in school I’m might be 40 working a job I don’t like when I’ll I want to be in life is rich and happy
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18 answers
Andre Coppedge
Enterprise Sales
2
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Andre’s Answer
Hello,
First, I want you to understand that "failure" is part of life. To achieve most things that require effort will come with some level of failure. I'm sure of you ask any great athlete, business owner, or even parent, they will say they failed at some point throughout their development. I know I have!
Second, with failure comes growth. You will learn what works, and what doesn't in regards to being successful. The goal is to take that understanding and become better. I've personally struggled in many aspects of my life, but after feeling down, I take that emotional and find a way to do better.
Failure can seem scary, but if you believe that with failure comes improvement, growth, future achievement, it will be easy to push through and reach your goals.
Believe!
First, I want you to understand that "failure" is part of life. To achieve most things that require effort will come with some level of failure. I'm sure of you ask any great athlete, business owner, or even parent, they will say they failed at some point throughout their development. I know I have!
Second, with failure comes growth. You will learn what works, and what doesn't in regards to being successful. The goal is to take that understanding and become better. I've personally struggled in many aspects of my life, but after feeling down, I take that emotional and find a way to do better.
Failure can seem scary, but if you believe that with failure comes improvement, growth, future achievement, it will be easy to push through and reach your goals.
Believe!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Ginise,
Failure is only failure if we fail to learn from the experience, pick ourselves up off the ground, apply what we have learned, and move on.
Fear of failure keeps some of us "in our comfort zones." For 25 years I avoided jobs and special assignments that involved public speaking. It REALLY cramped my career. In my second job, I was required to teach classes 2-3 times a week. Yikes! At first I was horrible. But eventually, I figured out a way to present the material I was required to present in a manner that made it interesting, not easy considering most of those in attendance were mad at being required to attend what they thought was a "stupid class."
If you want a career, there are times you ARE going to fail. Stop dwelling on it. It IS going to happen. The way to minimize the chance of it happening is by being prepared. Know your material. Know your audience. Watch some videos. Learn how to laugh at yourself, without truly putting yourself down. We are all in this game of life together. We all go through this. Do your best. Reach out to others along the way and ask for feedback. And when you become the experienced one, remember to reach out to those just starting out.
Also, I would encourage you to define your life's goals. Rich and happy are great if you aren't working 60-70 hours a week and too tired to enjoy life. I know it sounds silly to think about right now, but, after a while, life starts flying by. I hope the best for you as you continue in this journey!
Failure is only failure if we fail to learn from the experience, pick ourselves up off the ground, apply what we have learned, and move on.
Fear of failure keeps some of us "in our comfort zones." For 25 years I avoided jobs and special assignments that involved public speaking. It REALLY cramped my career. In my second job, I was required to teach classes 2-3 times a week. Yikes! At first I was horrible. But eventually, I figured out a way to present the material I was required to present in a manner that made it interesting, not easy considering most of those in attendance were mad at being required to attend what they thought was a "stupid class."
If you want a career, there are times you ARE going to fail. Stop dwelling on it. It IS going to happen. The way to minimize the chance of it happening is by being prepared. Know your material. Know your audience. Watch some videos. Learn how to laugh at yourself, without truly putting yourself down. We are all in this game of life together. We all go through this. Do your best. Reach out to others along the way and ask for feedback. And when you become the experienced one, remember to reach out to those just starting out.
Also, I would encourage you to define your life's goals. Rich and happy are great if you aren't working 60-70 hours a week and too tired to enjoy life. I know it sounds silly to think about right now, but, after a while, life starts flying by. I hope the best for you as you continue in this journey!
Nasima Bachelors of Science
3
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Nasima’s Answer
It's perfectly understandable to want to steer clear of failure. After all, we're all drawn to what's safe, free, and top-notch.
Feeling hemmed in by the constraints of time and the looming threat of failure can put a damper on our passions and ambitions.
It's only human to worry, especially when we're juggling our own lofty goals with the demands of school.
When you find yourself plagued by thoughts of failure, take a moment to tell yourself:
"Time is constant, challenges are inevitable, and I can only do my best given the circumstances." Be kind to yourself, and this will help you view your surroundings, situation, and potential actions in a realistic light. Right now, focusing on understanding your time commitments, tapping into various support networks, and honing your work habits will guide you in leveraging your learning skills for your unique journey. Here's to your success. Take care.
Feeling hemmed in by the constraints of time and the looming threat of failure can put a damper on our passions and ambitions.
It's only human to worry, especially when we're juggling our own lofty goals with the demands of school.
When you find yourself plagued by thoughts of failure, take a moment to tell yourself:
"Time is constant, challenges are inevitable, and I can only do my best given the circumstances." Be kind to yourself, and this will help you view your surroundings, situation, and potential actions in a realistic light. Right now, focusing on understanding your time commitments, tapping into various support networks, and honing your work habits will guide you in leveraging your learning skills for your unique journey. Here's to your success. Take care.
Ganesh Subramaniam
Technology Architect / Senior Manager
9
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Ganesh’s Answer
Hello Ginise,
I don't mean to sound too deep, but remember, the only true failure is when you stop trying. Every other hurdle you encounter is merely a stepping stone or a test to conquer before you unlock your true potential. Plus, you are the only one who gets to label what counts as a failure. There are many iconic figures who were deemed failures during their academic years, yet they soared to the pinnacle of their respective fields. Albert Einstein and Bill Gates are just a couple of examples.
From my perspective, the more demanding a task or the more obstacles you encounter, the greater the happiness you'll experience once you've completed the task. So, don't fear failure. Instead, embrace it as a valuable lesson. Keep going, and remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback!
I don't mean to sound too deep, but remember, the only true failure is when you stop trying. Every other hurdle you encounter is merely a stepping stone or a test to conquer before you unlock your true potential. Plus, you are the only one who gets to label what counts as a failure. There are many iconic figures who were deemed failures during their academic years, yet they soared to the pinnacle of their respective fields. Albert Einstein and Bill Gates are just a couple of examples.
From my perspective, the more demanding a task or the more obstacles you encounter, the greater the happiness you'll experience once you've completed the task. So, don't fear failure. Instead, embrace it as a valuable lesson. Keep going, and remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback!
Aytek Yuksel
Marketing
9
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Aytek’s Answer
hi Ginise, a two-folded suggestion is below.
1) Positive visualization.
As simple as it sounds! The key is not just having positive "thoughts" but instead creating a very vivid and detailed imaginary moment or a visualization in your mind. For instance, think of where you want to be when you are 25 (or 30), then add more details to this imaginary moment. Maybe it is a dinner table where you are with your family; behind you guys, you see the city you live in, and you are telling this cool story about the new job you got.
Then, frequently recite the positive visualization to overcome your fear of failing.
2) Make "failure" more tangible.
Consider reflecting back to what is "failure" for you and why that is really a strong emotion for you. If your fear is totally centered on "working a job I don't like," then spell out the features of what makes this job one that you don't like. Consider also spelling out jobs you want to do. This clarity can then help you more effectively assess "How likely am I to be in that situation?" Is it as likely as a thunder striking a person or as likely as a snowy winter in the US.
Hope these help!
1) Positive visualization.
As simple as it sounds! The key is not just having positive "thoughts" but instead creating a very vivid and detailed imaginary moment or a visualization in your mind. For instance, think of where you want to be when you are 25 (or 30), then add more details to this imaginary moment. Maybe it is a dinner table where you are with your family; behind you guys, you see the city you live in, and you are telling this cool story about the new job you got.
Then, frequently recite the positive visualization to overcome your fear of failing.
2) Make "failure" more tangible.
Consider reflecting back to what is "failure" for you and why that is really a strong emotion for you. If your fear is totally centered on "working a job I don't like," then spell out the features of what makes this job one that you don't like. Consider also spelling out jobs you want to do. This clarity can then help you more effectively assess "How likely am I to be in that situation?" Is it as likely as a thunder striking a person or as likely as a snowy winter in the US.
Hope these help!
Ryan Codi
Technology Manager
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
From what I've seen, pursuing wealth might lead to success, but often in a job that leaves you unfulfilled and potentially unhappy. This is commonly referred to as "golden handcuffs," where you grow used to a certain level of wealth and lifestyle, but despise your job. Conversely, if you're passionate about something and manage to turn it into your career, you might find yourself working harder than you ever thought possible. However, there's a good chance that wealth could be a part of the reward for pursuing this passion.
Every successful individual you can think of has encountered failure. Their determination to keep going after these setbacks is what ultimately led to their success. It's rare for everything to always go smoothly, but persistence does pay off in the end.
Every successful individual you can think of has encountered failure. Their determination to keep going after these setbacks is what ultimately led to their success. It's rare for everything to always go smoothly, but persistence does pay off in the end.
Raluca Iordan
Economist
3
Answers
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Updated
Raluca’s Answer
Hello Ginise, you've asked a thought-provoking question. Many adults today are grappling with overcoming failure, which can be a challenging process. My advice to you would be to always remember your unique qualities - your individual talents, skills, and accomplishments. Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is to learn from them and use them as stepping stones to personal growth.
I understand your concerns about the common saying, "if you don't study to become someone, you will do nothing with your life". As an adult, I'd advise you to strive for balance. Start by identifying what truly motivates you in the long term. If school isn't your favorite place, focus on maintaining decent grades while keeping your passion at the forefront. Remember, grades aren't everything; acquiring knowledge and being a good person are equally, if not more, important.
In the future, you'll likely reassess your definition of being "rich and happy". You'll come to understand that wealth doesn't automatically equate to happiness. Happiness is a personal choice, and your goal should be to be comfortable with who you are, regardless of your future profession.
I understand your concerns about the common saying, "if you don't study to become someone, you will do nothing with your life". As an adult, I'd advise you to strive for balance. Start by identifying what truly motivates you in the long term. If school isn't your favorite place, focus on maintaining decent grades while keeping your passion at the forefront. Remember, grades aren't everything; acquiring knowledge and being a good person are equally, if not more, important.
In the future, you'll likely reassess your definition of being "rich and happy". You'll come to understand that wealth doesn't automatically equate to happiness. Happiness is a personal choice, and your goal should be to be comfortable with who you are, regardless of your future profession.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi there, Genise!
Let's Talk About Overcoming the Fear of Failure
It's absolutely okay to feel a bit scared or anxious about failing, especially when you're chasing your dreams. But, getting stuck in those thoughts can be harmful to your mental health and overall progress. So, here are some friendly tips to help you kick those worries to the curb:
Be Mindful: Try out mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga. These can help you stay grounded in the present moment and lessen your worries about what the future might hold. Concentrate on now, and let go of possible future failures.
Question Negative Thoughts: If you find yourself thinking negatively about failing, counteract them with positive affirmations and a dose of reality. Remember all the things you're good at, your past wins, and the fact that even if you stumble, it's a chance to learn and grow.
Set Doable Goals: Break your big dreams down into smaller, more manageable goals. This way, you can focus on moving forward, instead of getting hung up on the possibility of failing. And don't forget to celebrate every little victory along the way!
Find Your Cheerleaders: Chat with your friends, family, or a mentor about your fears. Opening up to others can give you emotional support and fresh viewpoints that can help ease your worries.
Embrace Learning: Try to see failure not as something scary, but as a chance to learn and grow. Realize that everyone hits bumps in the road, and these can teach us important lessons for future success.
Be Your Own Best Friend: Treat yourself with kindness and avoid being too hard on yourself. Show yourself the same understanding and compassion you would to a friend, especially when times get tough.
Picture Your Success: Spend some time imagining yourself reaching your goals and living your dream life. This positive visualization can help shift your focus from fear of failure to motivation and determination.
Get Moving: Rather than dwelling on what could go wrong, take steps towards your goals. Taking action that aligns with your dreams can boost your confidence and lessen your fear of failing.
Remember, everyone has moments of self-doubt and fear of failure. It's important to recognize these feelings, but also to know how to manage them effectively.
Top 3 Reference Sources Used for this Answer:
Psychology Today
Harvard Business Review
Mayo Clinic
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.
Let's Talk About Overcoming the Fear of Failure
It's absolutely okay to feel a bit scared or anxious about failing, especially when you're chasing your dreams. But, getting stuck in those thoughts can be harmful to your mental health and overall progress. So, here are some friendly tips to help you kick those worries to the curb:
Be Mindful: Try out mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga. These can help you stay grounded in the present moment and lessen your worries about what the future might hold. Concentrate on now, and let go of possible future failures.
Question Negative Thoughts: If you find yourself thinking negatively about failing, counteract them with positive affirmations and a dose of reality. Remember all the things you're good at, your past wins, and the fact that even if you stumble, it's a chance to learn and grow.
Set Doable Goals: Break your big dreams down into smaller, more manageable goals. This way, you can focus on moving forward, instead of getting hung up on the possibility of failing. And don't forget to celebrate every little victory along the way!
Find Your Cheerleaders: Chat with your friends, family, or a mentor about your fears. Opening up to others can give you emotional support and fresh viewpoints that can help ease your worries.
Embrace Learning: Try to see failure not as something scary, but as a chance to learn and grow. Realize that everyone hits bumps in the road, and these can teach us important lessons for future success.
Be Your Own Best Friend: Treat yourself with kindness and avoid being too hard on yourself. Show yourself the same understanding and compassion you would to a friend, especially when times get tough.
Picture Your Success: Spend some time imagining yourself reaching your goals and living your dream life. This positive visualization can help shift your focus from fear of failure to motivation and determination.
Get Moving: Rather than dwelling on what could go wrong, take steps towards your goals. Taking action that aligns with your dreams can boost your confidence and lessen your fear of failing.
Remember, everyone has moments of self-doubt and fear of failure. It's important to recognize these feelings, but also to know how to manage them effectively.
Top 3 Reference Sources Used for this Answer:
Psychology Today
Harvard Business Review
Mayo Clinic
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.
Alla Gonzalez
16
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Alla’s Answer
Hi Ginise! First off, I want to say it is perfectly normal to feel worried when making big and important decisions. We all felt this way at some point, and I entirely understand where you are coming from.
If these thoughts take too much of your mind space, try scheduling worry time. It may sound strange, but literally, put it on your calendar that let's say tomorrow at 1pm you have a 15-minute worry time. If you catch yourself starting to worry during the day, you can pause and remind yourself you can think about it tomorrow.
Also, what we may see as a 'failure' in the moment is pretty much always a learning opportunity. An interesting thing that happens in life is sometimes when we look back at something that didn't work out in the past, we may also realize it was for the best, and later on a better opportunity presented yourself. The main thing is to not despair but reflect on the experience and move forward wiser and stronger.
If these thoughts take too much of your mind space, try scheduling worry time. It may sound strange, but literally, put it on your calendar that let's say tomorrow at 1pm you have a 15-minute worry time. If you catch yourself starting to worry during the day, you can pause and remind yourself you can think about it tomorrow.
Also, what we may see as a 'failure' in the moment is pretty much always a learning opportunity. An interesting thing that happens in life is sometimes when we look back at something that didn't work out in the past, we may also realize it was for the best, and later on a better opportunity presented yourself. The main thing is to not despair but reflect on the experience and move forward wiser and stronger.
Tione Torrens, SPHR-SCP
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Program Manager at Paychex North America Inc.
3
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Tione’s Answer
Consider viewing failure as a friendly stepping stone.
* It's a chance to discover new methods and strategies
* It's a moment to recognize your inner strength and resilience
* It's a time to be kind to yourself and accept your shortcomings
* It's a platform for growth, propelling you towards a better version of yourself for the next round
* It's an essential part of the journey, making you stronger for the challenges ahead
Remember, stumbling and falling are part of life. The way you perceive these moments can transform them into powerful learning experiences. We all face failure, but it's our courage to stand up and try again that truly leads us to success.
* It's a chance to discover new methods and strategies
* It's a moment to recognize your inner strength and resilience
* It's a time to be kind to yourself and accept your shortcomings
* It's a platform for growth, propelling you towards a better version of yourself for the next round
* It's an essential part of the journey, making you stronger for the challenges ahead
Remember, stumbling and falling are part of life. The way you perceive these moments can transform them into powerful learning experiences. We all face failure, but it's our courage to stand up and try again that truly leads us to success.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
I think you'd like the book From Paycheck to Purpose by Ken Coleman.
Shannon Strawther
Loan Processor
8
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
This is a question that plagues many in life, but it is all about perception. You're familiar with the term "you learn something new everyday", right? The key to educating yourself is not being afraid to "fail". If you view something as unsuccessful because it did not go as planned, it will be deemed a failure to you. However, if you deem something that you planned as being unsuccessful and attempt ways to improve the plan moving forward, you have educated yourself to be better moving forward. Each day is a learning opportunity, this is important to remember. Do not view an opportunity that doesn't immediately pan out as a failure, but a chance to get better with new attempts.
Maikel Jordan
Software Development Sr. Manager - Cloud Architecture
7
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Maikel’s Answer
The short answer is you can't. Failure is as something to carry on with as much as success is. It will follow you because it is real, and therefore, thinking about it is also real. What you want is to think about failure as you cover all the critical cases while you architect and design your success story. Consider the failure scenarios and have a plan for them. And yes, chances are you will be in a job you don't like, maybe (hopefully) not until 40, but a good few years.
Advise:
#1: Review your priorities: wanting to be "rich and happy" in life doesn't seem like a good long term strategy. How about wanting to be better tomorrow than today? How about breaking it down and thinking "wanting to be better at something tomorrow than you are today".
#2: Get out of the dark. Abandon those places you know are hurting (whatever they are, or whoever they are). If you don't have a roadmap to success now, at least getting out of those places will leave you with more time to be able to find what it is that you want.
#3: Work really hard at something for a long period of time so you can master the skill it produces out of you. That'll make you unique. It is uniqueness what'll get you out of that boring job at 40.
Good luck!
Advise:
#1: Review your priorities: wanting to be "rich and happy" in life doesn't seem like a good long term strategy. How about wanting to be better tomorrow than today? How about breaking it down and thinking "wanting to be better at something tomorrow than you are today".
#2: Get out of the dark. Abandon those places you know are hurting (whatever they are, or whoever they are). If you don't have a roadmap to success now, at least getting out of those places will leave you with more time to be able to find what it is that you want.
#3: Work really hard at something for a long period of time so you can master the skill it produces out of you. That'll make you unique. It is uniqueness what'll get you out of that boring job at 40.
Good luck!
Klair Heathman
Customer Service
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Klair’s Answer
Failure is simply a stepping stone in life. It's your perspective that truly matters!
Don't view it as a frightening occurrence, but rather, embrace it as a thrilling part of your adventure!
Every failure offers a lesson. It could teach you what to avoid in the future, or how to improve your actions next time. Regardless, there's always a valuable takeaway from every setback that can help you grow and improve!
Don't view it as a frightening occurrence, but rather, embrace it as a thrilling part of your adventure!
Every failure offers a lesson. It could teach you what to avoid in the future, or how to improve your actions next time. Regardless, there's always a valuable takeaway from every setback that can help you grow and improve!
Andre Coppedge
Enterprise Sales
2
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Andre’s Answer
Hello,
First, I want you to understand that "failure" is part of life. To achieve most things that require effort will cone with some level of failure. I'm sure of you ask any great athlete, business owner, or even parent, they will say they failed at something through their development. I know I have.
Second, under that with failure comes growth. You will learn what works, and what doesn't un regards to be successful. The goal is to take that understand and become better. I've personally struggled in many aspects of my life, but after feeling down, I take that emotional and find a way to do better.
Failure can seem scary, but if you believe that with failure comes improvement, growth, future achievement, it will be easy to push through and reach your goals.
Believe!
First, I want you to understand that "failure" is part of life. To achieve most things that require effort will cone with some level of failure. I'm sure of you ask any great athlete, business owner, or even parent, they will say they failed at something through their development. I know I have.
Second, under that with failure comes growth. You will learn what works, and what doesn't un regards to be successful. The goal is to take that understand and become better. I've personally struggled in many aspects of my life, but after feeling down, I take that emotional and find a way to do better.
Failure can seem scary, but if you believe that with failure comes improvement, growth, future achievement, it will be easy to push through and reach your goals.
Believe!
Daniel Brennan
84
Answers
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
In my opinion one of the easiest ways is to keep your mind and body busy as often as possible, especially through exercise. The more time you spend on improving yourself and your body, the more confidence you will have and the more stress you will release. This will help you feel more accomplished and confident in yourself, but will also exhaust your body and mind. If your body and mind are exhausted, you will have no energy for things like anxiety or thoughts of failure.
Moataz Elfar
general manger
17
Answers
Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Moataz’s Answer
Failure is a valuable teacher, guiding us to learn from our missteps and paving the way to triumph. Remember, success is never achieved without first encountering failure.
It's perfectly natural to ponder over our failures, especially when we're still seeking a solution. These moments of setback are crucial for our growth, as they offer us lessons that propel us towards success.
Think of failure as a loyal companion on your journey. It may seem like an unwelcome presence, but in reality, it's one of our greatest mentors. Failure alerts us to our errors, ensuring we don't repeat them. It imparts wisdom, helping us learn and grow until we finally attain our goals. Thus, failure is not the end, but rather a stepping stone to success.
It's perfectly natural to ponder over our failures, especially when we're still seeking a solution. These moments of setback are crucial for our growth, as they offer us lessons that propel us towards success.
Think of failure as a loyal companion on your journey. It may seem like an unwelcome presence, but in reality, it's one of our greatest mentors. Failure alerts us to our errors, ensuring we don't repeat them. It imparts wisdom, helping us learn and grow until we finally attain our goals. Thus, failure is not the end, but rather a stepping stone to success.
Anthony Kofi Hene-Amoah
Translation, Editing, Project Management, Research and Evangelism
176
Answers
Jema, Brong Ahafo Region
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hi,
Please, note the following, concerning how to stop thinking about failure :-
1. Stop thinking about it.
2. Focus on positive thoughts.
3. Focus on your studies.
4. Persevere in your studies.
5. Have faith in God, with constant prayers.
Best regards.
Please, note the following, concerning how to stop thinking about failure :-
1. Stop thinking about it.
2. Focus on positive thoughts.
3. Focus on your studies.
4. Persevere in your studies.
5. Have faith in God, with constant prayers.
Best regards.