Failure is an option .
... and no that's not a typo.
I really do mean failure IS an option and I'll go even further and say it's not a bad option at that.
What! Have you gone stark raving mad woman? Possibly, but bear with me and I will explain.
Some of you may know this but I didn't and it struck a chord with me. There are two type of people in this world - those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset.
Fixed vs Growth
If you are in the fixed mindset camp you measure your worth by your successes. You need to continuously prove yourself, you will feel that you have let people down if you fall short of your goals. You might even consider yourself a looser if you do not match and exceed those lofty goals you set for yourself.
You can see this may not be good for your ongoing mental well being. In fact studies have shown it is a major contributor to depression, anxiety and stress in those driven to succeed.
Sound like anyone we know?
I think you'll agree to be an online entrepreneur you do need big dreams, big goals and the drive and motivation to hang in there and double down your efforts when all may seem lost.
On the other hand if you are of a growth mindset you will see "failure" as an opportunity for growth. You will be more focused on the process of achieving your goals than the very final well-intentioned, measured, time bound goal that you have set.
So if you are blessed with a growth mindset then failure is an option and it's one to be embraced and dare I say cherished.
It is an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your skills, sharpen your knowledge and grow some more.
So what can you do to move yourself to a growth mindset?
Reframe Your Goals
Yes you still need goals and yes they still need to be SMART. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely. BUT once you have set you goals go back over them and make your short and mid term goals are "process goals".
Let's have a quick example: I want to sign up 300 new Premium members by Dec 31st 2019. Pretty cool goal hey! Vegas here I come! I think it meets the SMART criteria.
But how am I going to get there? I need processes in place to keep me accountable during 2019.
One thing that immediately comes to mind is that I will need to advance my knowledge & skill set and I can do this by completing the Bootcamp training, lets say by March.
This is a process goal. If I fall short I will still have increased my knowledge, I will have grown in my ability to reach my goal and well basically I'm a winner either way.
See how that works? So have a go at reframing your short and mid-term goals to make them processes rather than outcome focused.
OK I could go on, but you will be relieved to know I shall cut this short.
I do hope this helps some of you as you knuckle down and set those fantastic "reach for the stars" goals for your 2019.
If you'd like to share whether you are inherently of a fixed or growth mindset drop your comments in the box below. Perhaps if you have some tips on how you keep yourself on an even keel when it comes to working towards your goals but not being consumed by them I'm sure we could all learn from it.
Recent Comments
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Thanks so much, I can feel it, 2019 is gunna be my year to see some steady growth and results. I hope the same for you.
Perfectly worded!! I was hooked with every word you wrote. Some people get so stuck in their old ways that it can be near impossible for them to look beyond what’s always been in front of them. Growth is crucial in life and for success.
Thanks for taking the time to commment Tahkyla. I agree wholeheartedly growth is crucial in everything we do and it’s fun :) if we are growing as human beings we are winning at life.
Hi there Heidi, Growth for me! I see the win win situation in my shortfalls:) Thanks for a great read!
Cass
Brilliant Cass, and it’s not that we can’t see and acknowledge the shortfalls, we are only human after all, but everyone wants to be a winner and we can be even if we fall short.
Heidi,
Can I choose both mindsets? Unfortunately, I fit into both
of these I jump back and forth between the two. I have
the good days when I know that the failures made make me
better at what I need to be doing then I can reorganize to
do better but I still end up with the depression, anxiety, and
fears of failing and letting people down. Guess this is one
thing I must work harder on.
Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.
Susan
I'd love for you to try reframing the goals to process ones, that way you don't need to give yourself a hard time because you will be succeeding all day every day.
You are a superstar and don't forget it :)
Excellent post! It's a great time of year to reframe our goals and also time to re-evaluate our goal drivers.
Thank you for sharing!
Nick
Thanks Nick glad you enjoyed it.
I have just started the process of goal setting for 2019, I'm excited and inspired and wish us all the greatest success in 2019.
I'm looking forward to celebrating everyone's with my people :)
You are very welcome Gail, I know people who seriously beat themselves up at any sniff of a failure and there's really no need.
My best wishes to you for the festive season and a brilliant 2019.
Hey Heidi - Growth all the way- Fall down, learn, get up move forward is kinda how it goes lol
All the very best for 2019 my friend
You are awesome and thanks for your support
Vicki
Right back at ya - I love your blogs here in WA they keep me getting back up :) Let's make 2019 a year to remember.
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What an enjoyable read. You have a talent and I certainly do not mind making mistakes. It's probably my better ways of learning I've come to accept long ago that things go wrong no matter how much I plan and fastest way past it is to laugh and move on.
Thank you so much for saying, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Yes sometimes the Universe has other plans for us, so maybe it’s not failure just a sharp detour.