Mindset

There are so many opportunities we have had but didn’t take because we were  scared of failing or not doing well. Some people say fear motivates you but I’ll say, fear cripples you. It hinders you from getting what you want. In becoming the best version of yourself, there will be times when you’ll mess up and make mistakes. Some stupid, some innocent. These mistakes are what help you grow. I am not saying that you need to make mistakes to grow, my point is that sitting down, fearing the unknown instead of taking risks will not help.  Ask yourself, what’s the possible worst that could happen? It’s not like you’re going to die if you just do it, you probably shouldn’t if it’ll kill you . My point is, why not just dump the fear for once and try stuff out. That business, that sport, that skill. Try it out and give yourself a pat on the back for taking the first step. Fears are just our minds telling us we can’t. The fear of failure, it’s a universal feeling that can creep up on us all, regardless of age, background, or experience. It might hold you back from starting that business you’ve always dreamed of, applying for your dream job, or even just trying a new recipe. But what if we reframed failure? What if it wasn’t a dead end, but a stepping stone on the path to success? Here’s the truth: failure is inevitable. Every successful person you admire has encountered setbacks and disappointments. The difference is that they didn’t let fear paralyze them. They learned from their mistakes, adjusted their approach, and kept moving forward. So, how can you overcome the fear of failure and embrace the potential for growth it presents? Redefine failure: Instead of seeing it as the opposite of success, view it as a learning experience. What can you take away from this situation to improve next time? Was your goal unrealistic? Did you miss a crucial step? Reframe the experience as a chance to gather valuable information. Focus on progress, not perfection. We often get bogged down by the pressure to be perfect. But progress, not perfection, is the key to achieving your goals. Celebrate small wins and acknowledge your effort. Did you practice that presentation an extra time today? Did you finally write the first paragraph of your novel? These are victories to be celebrated! Embrace a growth mindset.  Believe that your abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. This empowers you to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” tell yourself “This is hard, but I can learn the skills I need to succeed.“ Start small.  Don’t overwhelm yourself by jumping into the deep end. Take on achievable goals to build your confidence and momentum. Maybe you want to write a novel. Instead of aiming to write 50,000 words in a month (a daunting task for a beginner!), set a goal of writing 500 words a day. This feels manageable and sets you up for consistent progress. Celebrate others’ successes.  Seeing others succeed can inspire you and remind you that achieving your goals is possible. Did your friend just land their dream job? Did a local artist you admire have their work displayed in a gallery? Feel happy for them! Their success paves the way for your own and shows that achieving your dreams is possible. Take a deep breath, embrace the possibility of failure as a teacher, and take that next step towards your dreams.  There will be stumbles along the way, but with courage, self-compassion, and a willingness to learn, you can turn the fear of failure into fuel for your success. Remember, the only true failure is giving up. As Nelson Mandela wisely said,

You work a 9-5, you’re a student, you’re a single parent, you’re a lot of things, you work tirelessly, you tell yourself it’s all a means to an end and eventually, you break down. Not just physically but mentally, your emotions and feelings change faster than you can monitor, food tastes like sand and Joy seeps away from you. You blame everyone and everything except yourself or you blame yourself so much that you end up depressed. I would like to let you know that several of these can be avoided if taken care of before escalation.  Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.   The main difference between stress and burnout is that stress is a response to a perceived threat. In contrast, burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. While some stress can be beneficial, chronic stress can lead to burnout and it can be difficult to recover from. Here’s the truth: stress isn’t inherently bad. It can give us that extra push to meet a challenge or finish a project. But when that pressure becomes chronic, it can lead to burnout so how best can you avoid this situation?  Here are 5 steps that are sure to be of help  TAKE BREAKS: The importance of taking breaks from time to time cannot be overemphasized. Taking a step back from your day to day activities that cause stress and eventually burnouts is the key to staying on top of things.  IDENTIFY STRESSORS: Understand what triggers stress for you; Is it an overwhelming need to do exceedingly well or a deadline for a project submission? It could be a full schedule with no breathing space in sight.  Upon identification, you need to tackle these stressors before they escalate. Reduce the high expectations you’ve set for yourself and take things one step at a time, start early to avoid thrashing around when deadlines are close and rearrange your schedule so that it allows room for breathing. THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT: Create a realistic schedule, prioritize tasks, and don’t be afraid to delegate. Utilize tools like planners, calendars, and productivity apps to stay organized and avoid feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up. Apps like Google calendar or Notion are incredibly useful and if you don’t have access to these, a good ol watch and planner can help too. PRACTICE SELF-CARE: Along with taking breaks, learn how to balance your sleep schedule, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly and do things that bring you joy. It could be taking a walk or spending some time with family. Find activities that help you de-stress, whether it’s meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, or listening to calming music. LEARN TO SAY NO: No matter how enticing that job offer is, no matter the benefits a project comes with, if you are already swamped with work and activities or if you see that these will eventually cause a breakdown, learn to say no. You can decline politely and even make recommendations. Remember the end goal of you saying no is the avoidance of stress and burnout. Taking charge of your well-being is an ongoing process. Be kind to yourself, identify what works for you, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. By implementing these tips, you can transform the chaos into calm and live a more fulfilling life. Take action today to manage your stress and prevent burnout. Remember, health is wealth. As the author Pearl Buck said,