How to Deal with Failure in Life

Remind yourself that:

1. This is not the end. You are going to survive. There’s no point in pretending that life is always great. Sometimes we trip and fall, or we make terrible mistakes. Allow yourself to heal, then get up and start again. Take one or two small steps, and know you’re going to survive!
2. Everybody makes mistakes along the way. You’re only a failure if you give up and don’t try. Accept that you are human, and then move on with your life.
3. Positive thinking leads to positive results. If you think you can succeed then there’s a good chance that you will. The mind is very powerful; we create what we believe.
4. Success is closer than you think when you are down. Mistakes can be our teachers; they don’t mean that all is lost. You’re likely one step closer to getting what you want.
5. You are not your mistakes. Don’t fall into the trap of defining who you are by different things you’ve done – or by your failures and mistakes.
6. There are very few mistakes which are truly devastating. Mistakes are merely setbacks. You can always start again.
7. A failure is sometimes a blessing in disguise. Not getting what you want can sometimes be a stroke of luck. It makes you reconsider, and try some different things. And these can often lead to better opportunities.
8. You have the power to determine your own happiness. – You can hold onto the heartaches and the failures of the past – or choose to let them go and fix your eyes on what’s ahead. It’s up to you to choose what will become your destiny.

 

7 Daily Reminders

We live in our culture that assigns us our worth. It measures and it judges in a superficial way. And it fails to see our struggles, the efforts we have made, the battles that we fight, and the demons that we face.

Thus, we must remind ourselves that  society is wrong, and disregard its message, and value who we are.

So at the start of this new week choose to be your own best friend, to be compassionate, and to focus on your strengths.

 

 

Things to Stop Saying to Yourself

Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy, and we’re far too quick to criticize ourselves. We are harsh and demanding, and we put ourselves down, instead of being caring and compassionate.

So perhaps it is time to challenge this self-talk, and to treat ourselves fairly, and to build ourselves up.

Things to stop saying to yourself include:

1. “I’m no good at …”

Say instead “It’s just a skill, and something I can learn.”

2. “I’m such a failure …”

Say instead “I got it wrong, and everybody makes mistakes.”

3. “There’s no point in trying …”

Say instead “It may be hard, but step by step will get me there.”

4. “Everybody hates me; I’ve got no friends …”

Say instead “It doesn’t really matter what these people think of me. There are others who will recognize my value and worth.”

5. “I hate myself. I deserve to be rejected …”

Say instead “I am beautiful inside, and have value and worth. I deserve to be cherished and be treated well.”

How to be Mentally Strong

There are habits we can form that make us mentally strong, and set us on a course to success in life. They are simple to apply – but require discipline – until they’re automatic, and a part of who we are. In summary:

1. Don’t look to the world to give you an identity. You need to find yourself, and to be true to yourself.
2. Don’t look to your family and friends for approval. It will be a moving target that you’re missing constantly – and will change with the person whose approval you are seeking.
3. Set your own goals in life and believe in yourself. Decide on what success means for you personally – and know that if you work hard you will reach the goals you’ve set.
4. Expect things to take time. Life is not a race – so take whatever time you need to learn whatever’s needed.
5. Expect to meet with setbacks for you’re always going to meet them. And the obstacles we face will help us stretch and grow.
6. Expect other people to put you down, and for some to walk away, or to walk out of your life. People have their own agendas, their own insecurities, and some might have a need to control you in some way. But be true to yourself. Don’t let others’ judgments sway you.
7. Don’t resent others’ gifts, or promotions, or successes. You’re not competing against them. You are on a different pathway.
8. Accept that there are some things which cannot be controlled. This is just a fact of life – so choose to be adaptable. Perhaps there’s something you can learn that will grow you as a person.

How to be More Assertive

Many of us wish that we could master being assertive. We want to state our case – but are afraid of making waves. There are ways that we can do this that command proper respect, allow us to be heard, and be taken seriously – whilst also maintaining the relationship. They include the following:

1. Use the word “I” instead of “You” as it demonstrates the speaker has self respect, and believes that their feelings and opinions should be heard.
2. Don’t stare the person out – but maintain steady eye contact. If you look to the side, look down or look away, it indicates discomfort or timidity.
3. At the same time, pay attention to your body language. Make sure that you seem open, and not hostile and aggressive. For example, your hands and palms should be open and relaxed, don’t point your finger, or wrinkle your face, don’t cross your arms, or look angry and tense.
4. Also, pay attention to the way you speak. Try and moderate your tone of voice, and don’t call them names, swear, or use obscenities. However, don’t start to mumble or speak in a low voice as that can indicate a lack of confidence, and signal to the person not to take you seriously.
5. If you start to notice you’re becoming upset, then work on your breathing – breathe deeply from your stomach – and visualise yourself as someone strong, who’s being heard.
6. Remember that no-one else is going to stand up for you. You deserve to have respected and treated well by others. And you have the power to establish boundaries, and to set appropriate limits on the treatment you’ll accept.

How to be Mentally Strong

1. Don’t look to the world to give you an identity.
2. Don’t look to your family and friends for approval.
3. Set your own goals and believe in yourself.
4. Expect things to take time.
5. Expect to meet with setbacks.
6. Expect people to put you down, and for some people to walk away.
7. Don’t be swayed by pressure from others.
8. Don’t resent others’ gifts and successes.
9. Accept that somethings cannot be controlled.
10. Believe you will succeed, and will make it, one day.

Coping Statements for Anxiety

Anxiety can hit us unawares. It can be debilitating, and interfere with life. However, it is possible to manage and control anxiety by actively replacing irrational painful thoughts with more balanced, rational and reasonable thoughts.

Some adaptive thoughts you could use to replace the automatic ones which create such distress include:

1. I’m going to be OK. Sometimes my feelings are irrational and false. I’m just going to relax and take things easy. Everything is going to be fine.
2. Anxiety may feel bad but it isn’t dangerous. There’s nothing wrong with me. Everything is going to be OK.
3. Feelings come and feelings go. Right now I feel bad but I know this is only temporary. I’ve done it before so I can do it again.
4. This image in my head isn’t reasonable or rational. I need to change my thinking and focus my attention on something that’s healthier, and generally helps me to feel good about myself. For example _____________.
5. I’ve managed to interrupt and change these thoughts before – so I know I can do it again. The more I practise this, the easier it will become. Anxiety is a habit – and it’s a habit that I can break!
6. So what if I am anxious. It’s not the end of the world. It’s not going to kill me. I just need to take a few deep breaths and keep going.
7. Just take the next step. Just do the next thing.
8. Even if I have to put up with a period of anxiety, I’ll be glad that I did, and persevered, and succeeded.
9. I can feel anxious and still do a good job. The more I focus on the task at hand, the more my anxiety will ease, then disappear.
10. Anxiety doesn’t have a hold on me. It’s something I’m working on, and changing over time.

Give it a Try …

Life might be better if you do the following … so why not give it a try!

1. Let go of the past
2. Don’t let people bother you
3. Allow yourself to make mistakes
4. Accept that things going wrong from time to time
5. Decide not to take things personally
6. Think about how you want to be remembered
7. Give without expecting something in return
8. Choose to be silly, to laugh, and have fun
9. Value your friends, and always treat them well
10. Recognize that everything will end in time, and loss is an integral part of life.