Failure comes in all shapes and forms, and everyone has their own ideas about it. One thing that is certain, however, is that failure sucks. Heck, the mere thought of failing at anything is enough to put most people off trying in the first place. But it shouldn’t. Learning to deal with failure in a positive way may sound difficult, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be on the road to success – and that goes for blogging too.

Blogging takes a lot of time and effort, and you won’t see results straight away –it’s normal. A lot of decisions made about blogs are the result of trial-and-error, so be prepared to try a lot of different things before getting it right.

Follow these 5 steps and you’ll have made your peace with failure in no time.

Own it

You didn’t do as well as you thought you did, or you missed the mark entirely. So what?

Everyone has failed at something at some point in life (whether they choose to admit it or not) and contrary to popular belief, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t be ashamed to tell those around you about it; it’ll probably help you weed out any unsupportive parties and allow you to focus on maintaining relationships with those who fully believe in you. Fake friends, your time is up – thanks, failure.

Don’t Let Yourself Wallow in Self-pity

You’ll get away with this for a few days tops, but then it’s back to the grind. The reason success is celebrated is because it takes hard work and guts to get there, so waste little time and figure out a new strategy. Use it as an opportunity to take a walk down a different path: be open to new ideas and say yes to things when you’d normally say no – what have you got to lose? You’ve hit bottom, now the only way is up, baaaaby – praise to Yazz for such inspirational lyrics.

You never know, that person you caught taking an interest in your journal on your subway ride home from a failed interview could prove a useful contact to you – engage with them.

See Also: Be a Rebel: 7 Tips for Radical Achievement from Albert Einstein 

Get Feedback

If you didn’t know there was anything wrong with your work in the first place, chances are you still don’t know now. Asking for feedback is important, whether it be from a friend, a professional or even a complete stranger.

Sometimes, all you need is a fresh perspective – someone to help you see things from a new angle can make all the difference. If nothing is making sense, ask for help – you’re only human, and we all need a little help along the way.

Keep Moving Forward

View failure as an attempt at success – you didn’t achieve it this time, but who’s to say you won’t next time? Keep your cool and keep moving forward. Your brain is a wonderful tool – put it to good use by trying out new techniques, writing styles or whatever comes to mind. Your comfort zone isn’t designed to be lived in so get outta there! Unlock your creative side and let your ideas flow.

Accept That It May Happen Again

Making friends with failure will be difficult, but it’ll be worth it. You have to be prepared for anything, which means being prepared to fail again. Re-adjusting your attitude could be the making of you, so don’t hesitate. Accepting failure is not accepting defeat, it’s being realistic. You’ll probably find that it pushes you to work even harder, which is always a good thing, regardless of what you’re working on.

Failure won’t kill you, but it’ll definitely make you stronger. Your potential knows no bounds, so get back out there and show everyone what you’re made of! Success takes time and dedication among a heap of other things, so remember – life is a marathon, not a sprint. Be assertive and confident, and don’t forget to work hard. Failure will try and bring you down – don’t let it. If failure prevents you from trying, you will never achieve success; it’s as simple as that.

Think back to these 5 ways to make the most of failure when you’re considering giving up, and you’ll be back on track before you know it.

See Also: Why You Should Forget Success And Strive to Fail 

 

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“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle

Our never-ending quest towards self-improvement is a long journey of small steps. Small habits we repeat day after day, week after week, year after year. Small habits that have turned us into who we are today can also determine who we will become in the future.

Below are 7 Power Habits of some of the greatest human beings to ever live.

Have a Vision

Who did it? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest American leaders of the 20th century. A civil rights leader, a religious leader, and an African-American leader. King is famously known for his I-have-a-dream-speech at the March on Washington in 1963.

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”

His dream was nothing less than racial equality, something that seemed to be a long way off at that time. King’s visionary speech is widely regarded as one of the finest speeches in American history, helping African Americans put racial equality on top of the political agenda which ultimately led to the Civil Rights Act in the following year.

Why you should do it!

The ability of visionary thinking enables us to see past our status quo. It allows us to see past current conditions and limitations. Through a powerful vision we can dream, create and manifest what does not yet exist. Your own personal mission statement will have a directional and a motivational function. It will help you focus on those activities you have to do in the present in order to achieve the desired future state of success.

One of the most well-known and most respected voices on visionary thinking is Napoleon Hill. Hill spent more than 20 years researching the accomplishments and habits of successful people in business, coming to the conclusion that the path to success starts in your mind. You will become what you believe you will become! If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to read and study his book Think and Grow Rich. It’s one of the most powerful books ever written.

Take Action

Who does it? Bill Gates

As a guest on Larry King’s famous talk show, Bill Gates opened up about the three key factors of being successful. Besides having a clear vision and being in the right place at the right time, another crucial success factor is to take massive and immediate action. Or to put it in the words of Bill Gates:

“When you find a good idea act on it right away.”

In business, success is often determined by turning ideas into action before your competition does. As the co-founder and president of Microsoft, Gates revolutionized the computer industry. Today he is consistently ranked in the Forbes list of the world’s richest people—so he obviously knows what he is talking about.

Why you should do it!

In our lives, we are all presented with numerous ideas and promising opportunities. Many of them could lead us to wealth and self-fulfillment. They could help us escape the corporate 9-to-5 grind forever.

However, most people, even when they actively recognize that they have a great idea, don’t do anything with it. Most people are simply afraid to take action, or they are just too lazy to follow up on their dreams. Most people would rather stay in their comfort zone. Yet, they all love to read books like these and are inspired by those that took massive action in their lives.

If you dream of a better life, you’d better take action! Now!

See Also: Top 5 Traits Of Billionaires

Don’t Break the Chain

Who does it? Jerry Seinfeld

The New York native started his career as a stand-up comedian before he turned to acting, playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the sitcom Seinfeld. As a touring comic Seinfeld discovered his don’t-break-the-chain method for more productivity. His technique enabled him to become a better comedian and to write better jokes. Just like Stephen King, Seinfeld turned writing into a daily habit. He used a unique calendar system to motivate and pressure himself to write, even when he didn’t feel like it. All he needed was a big wall calendar and a big red magic marker. For each day he successfully followed his habit of writing, he put a big red X over that day.

“After a few days, you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”

Why you should do it!

Seinfeld’s productivity technique can be used for almost every habit, from writing to exercising, from dieting to quitting an addiction. Daily action builds habits. Success is the result of a long series of simple steps. Not breaking the chain for a couple of days will give you momentum and motivation to carry on and not quit. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months. You can use a wall calendar like Seinfeld, or a mobile app.

Follow Your Curiosity

Who did it? Albert Einstein

If people are asked to name the smartest person they know, the name of Einstein will most likely be the most common answer. German-born Albert Einstein developed the grand theory of relativity (e = mc²), the cornerstone of modern physics. In 1921 he won the Nobel Prize for physics, honoring his explanation of the photoelectric effect. He is considered the most influential scientist of the 20th century. He was passionately curious about the mysteries of science. He was also a great philosopher, and moral leader, who has written hundreds of books and articles.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

Why you should do it!

“Why?” A simple question both parents and teachers alike dread to hear. A question many have stopped asking at some point on their way to becoming an adult. However, constantly following your curiosity is something that offers numerous benefits. Research has shown that curious people are happier. They also tend to be more achieving and successful in life. Curiosity can expand empathy, and thus strengthen social relationships.

See Also: Be a Rebel: 7 Tips for Radical Achievement from Albert Einstein 

Go the Extra Mile

Who does it? Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Austrian-born Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of fifteen. That’s when he decided to become a bodybuilder. Five years later he won the title of Mr. Olympia, the most prestigious award in his sport. He has won it seven times! After his bodybuilding career, Arnold moved to America and decided to become an actor. Despite all the doubts of his critics, and his strong accent, he became one of the highest paid movie stars of recent decades. To many, he is the greatest action star Hollywood has ever seen. He then decided to move into politics, only to become the Governor of California.

His resume sounds like the resumes of three different men rather than just one, and it is only due to his relentless drive and insane work ethic. He mastered the ability to go the extra mile in his early life, lifting weights, and applied this concept to all other areas of his professional life as well.

“The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.”

Why you should do it!

Going the extra mile is tough. It requires people to get out of their comfort zone. However, it is the ability to push through your limits that separates the greats from the average Joes. Going the extra mile will separate you from the rest.

This habit can be applied to many areas in your life, from your workplace to the gym. If you want to look good naked, push your body to go the extra mile. If you want to really excel in business, school, and life, go the extra mile. Give the people around you—your customers, your team, your family, and friends—more than they expect, and you’ll be rewarded with loyalty, referrals, opportunity and money in return.

Laugh

Who did it? Charlie Chaplin

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

Sir Charles “Charlie” Spencer Chaplin spent his entire professional life attempting to make people laugh, and he still does, even to this day. He became an icon through his on-screen persona and portrayal of The Little Tramp. His career lasted no less than 75 years, earning him an honorary Oscar in 1971, six years before his passing in Switzerland in late 1977.

Why you should do it!

Laughing is one of the best feelings in the world. Not only is it a lot of fun, it is also highly infectious. But unlike most things infectious, laughter comes with a great amount of health benefits for your mind and body.

Laughing is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective ways of beating stress. It reduces stress hormones and releases endorphins in return. Endorphins are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. A good dose of laughter will also boost your immune system, making your body more resistant to diseases. Laughter protects your heart. It improves the function of your blood vessels and increases blood flow, which will help your body to protect itself against cardiovascular diseases, even heart attacks. Further benefits of having a good laugh include: improved mood, muscle relaxation and strong social relationships.

Now go ahead and smile, and start spending more time with fun people.

Build Bridges

Who did it? Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was an English-born physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian. He was certainly one of the most influential people in the history of the world. His famous book Principia, published in 1687, may be the most important science book ever written. It describes universal gravitation, and the three laws of motion, a topic which dominated the scientific view of the universe in the centuries that followed.

Besides that, he also built the first ever telescope, developed a theory of color, formulated an empirical law of cooling, studied the speed of sound, and the list goes on. Besides living a life devoted to science, he was also very religious. He was also a guy that understood the importance of building quality relationships with other people.

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

Why you should do it!

Do you know Bronnie Ware? Neither did I. But it’s well worth listening to what she has to say. Ware is an Australian nurse who spent many years working in palliative care, taking care of patients in the last weeks of their lives. Ware has collected and published their dying epiphanies in the bestselling book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

According to the book, people gain an incredible clarity of vision as they get close to death. When she asked them about their regrets and missed opportunities in life, common themes surfaced over and over again. One of them is the wish that they had stayed in touch with their friends.

“Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.”

Now you still have time to tear down walls, and build bridges. Do it, before it is too late!

 

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Colleagues can either be constructive or disruptive!

The helpful ones make work much easier and the workplace a great place to look forward going to every day. But, handling the disruptive ones requires a lot of tact or else, they can make your already difficult work atmosphere even more difficult. With some tactful interference, you can either keep away or handle such difficult personalities at work.

Here are some tips to manage different personalities in the workplace:

Identify difficult co-workers

The very first point of importance is to identify the difficult-to-handle co-workers.

They can come in all sizes and shapes. There are gossip machines, bossy teammates, blamers, victims and show-stealers in all organizations. The very first step involves identifying who’s who in the office.

Once you know the people who can create problems, the least you can do is to avoid their company as much as possible. It will not help you avoid the problems they create, but it will keep you away from them and you can better concentrate on your work and productivity. Out of sight, out of mind, so they say.

Have Patience

When you work in the same office, it is very difficult to avoid some people completely. They can provoke you into a fight and then scoot away easily when supervisors pop up. You will realize only later that the troublemaker who started it all has already escaped. So, don’t allow yourself to be provoked. Patience makes a great barrier against impending fights.

Evaluate the Situation

To help you avoid trouble at work, evaluate a sticky situation with a troublemaker officemate. See how it will affect your position in the office, how it will affect your relationship with your colleagues, and how it might affect all the achievements you’ve built up over the years. This way, you might be able to find a better way out of your situation that won’t mean getting into a fight with a difficult co-worker.

See Also: How to Deal with a Workplace Bully

Know who you are dealing with

As you evaluate the situation, you need to know the person whom you are dealing with too. Sometimes, troublemakers create issues just to gain some attention. Other times, it is for their professional gain.

Seniors can make your life hell at work just for the sake of playing the boss. If they have more connections in the office, it is best to avoid a confrontation as you will be the person who can be more affected because of it. If it is a teammate, evaluate his connections.

A colleague closer to the boss can invite more trouble than one who is not. It is hence important to know more about the troublemaker before you decide on a strategy to combat trouble.

No point discussing with colleagues

Discussing your issue with your colleagues will only make matters worse. If any of them spill the beans to the person involved, it can aggravate the issue. When there’s a gossiper in the group, anything you shared may be communicated in a totally negative aspect. More often than not, your colleagues will be hard put to offer a realistic solution so there’s no point discussing the matter with others.

Try talking truce

Once you have evaluated the situation and the person involved, you can try talking to the person involved to sort out your differences. If things can be settled amicably, that’s the best solution. Sometimes the issue might be because of a misunderstanding which can be sorted out by talking things over. One trial at discussing a truce will be a good option to try anyway.

Escalate when you cannot handle it

Finally, if things seem to be getting overboard, do not hesitate to escalate the matter to your boss. Make sure the communication is neutral and clear so that it is not used against you in any way. Take a peaceful stance while discussing with the boss or your superior and explain calmly all the steps you have taken including the confrontation. Also, make it clear that you are willing to give the other person another chance to change to be very fair. This way you are safe the next time some issue comes up.

See Also: Smart Ways to Navigate Office Politics and Emerge as a Winner

 

Author-bio: Levin George is a Search Engine Optimizer at OfficeRock.com. He actively pursues interests related to latest internet marketing trends. He spends his leisure time reading, meditating and enjoying the joys of technology.

 

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A while back, I took acting classes, one of which involved me doing a monologue (which is basically when one person stands in front of the audience for an extended period of time and speaks directly to them). This monologue was from the playwright Eric Bogosian and the title was “Pounding Nails in the Floor with my Forehead.”

And although this monologue was meant to be funny, it kept coming out as if I was angry, not the emotion I wanted to portray to the audience. This left me feeling frustrated with myself and unsure what to do in order to quit sounding mad so I might actually make them laugh.

At one point, my teacher, one of the best teachers I’ve actually ever had, sensed my struggle and said, “Red. Stop for a second and come sit in my seat.” I wasn’t quite sure what good that was going to do but, like a good student, I complied, trusting in the fact that he knew what he was doing (when I clearly felt like I didn’t). Then he gave me my next command. “Now do the monologue.”

In my mind, I’m thinking, “What? How am I going to do the monologue from this audience seat?” Most importantly, I wondered how changing my physical location was ever going to help me change my tone enough for the correct effect. But again, I trusted my teacher so I did as he asked. The result? The monologue suddenly sounded exactly like it was supposed to…funny.

That day I learned that sometimes you have to move your physical space in order to change your perspective and get better results. In this case, it took me leaving the theater stage and sitting in an audience member’s chair to shift my thoughts enough to shift the monologue tone as well. So, if you’re not achieving what you want in your life, maybe moving your space is the one thing that can help you overcome your hurdles and create better results.

For example, if you work behind a computer all day and find that you spend more time fiddling with your ink pen than typing out your marketing goals or coming up with new products or services, why not take your laptop and head to a coffee shop instead? Leaving the quiet office scene and going someplace where people come and go all day may just stoke your creativity, making it easier to come up with new thoughts and ideas that can take you and your business to higher levels.

Or if you feel like you’ve been treading water for some time in your career—expending lots of energy but not really getting anywhere—a change of space may be exactly what you need to start moving forward again. This could involve taking a day off and going to a conference, networking with others, or taking a class to learn more in an area that you struggle (marketing, product development, etc.) and enabling you to begin to make progress again.

By changing your physical space, you’re better able to change your mental perspective. When you see things from a different angle, you get a better view of solutions or ideas that you didn’t know existed simply because you’re looking at them differently than ever before.

This process can be amazingly transformational, helping you achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. And you can do it solely by taking a step in another direction, giving you a better view.

See Also: How to Leverage Your Problems in Order to Become Happier

 

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