Growing up, you hear things like try, try again, or failure is a part of life.
To be human is to fail. Failure is one of the essential blocks of growth to success. If you did everything correctly all the time, how could you grow?
When you fail at something, you learn lessons in empathy, humility and maturity. It is never enjoyable to fail at something and you don’t need to pretend it is a pleasant experience. Accepting your feelings is important. However, you shouldn’t judge yourself too harshly. Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, and practice ways to not make the same mistakes again.
Try, try again
Many famous people "failed" when they first started out.
Albert Einstein was labeled "mentally slow," and the comment was put on his permanent school record.
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
Oprah Winfrey was fired from one of her first jobs as a television news anchor.
Steven Spielberg was rejected from film school three times.
Look at failure differently
Whether you fail to get picked for a sports team or fail an important test, the way you think about what has happened is important.
Recognize what has happened and be willing to try again.
Talk with an adult about ways you can learn to do it better.
Think of the event as a learning experience.
Celebrate the next time you do well. It’s important to recognize when you’ve grown.
Remember you are never alone and failure is not final. If you need help with your feelings after failing at something, reach out to a trusted friend, teacher, parent or doctor.
