Have you ever been in a situation at work where you’ve had a sinking feeling that you’re failing horribly and there’s nothing you can do about it? We’ve all been there. It can be easy to recognise failure in ourselves when it comes to our careers. There is a distinction to be made between ‘falling’ and ‘failing,’ and we’ll address how self-awareness of your own behaviour can assist you distinguish falling vs failing and act accordingly in this article.
Let’s first define falling
Falling occurs when we make a mistake or trip up along the way. It’s part of life, and it’s part of the journey to success. We all fall down from time to time, but the key difference between falling and failing is that when we fall, we get back up.
And then failing…
Failing is giving up altogether. It’s admitting defeat and not trying again. It’s the end of the road.
So, how can we tell the difference between falling vs failing?
The first step is to become self-aware. This means being aware of your own actions and their consequences. It’s about taking responsibility for your choices and learning from your mistakes.
While there are some who use the phrase “self-aware” as though it were a destination to be reached and then permanently acquired, many people appear to believe that it is an endpoint. However, this is not the case – self-awareness is one of the most challenging things to improve oneself, and it is not an ‘achievable’ condition, i.e., an enlightened state.
Once you develop the skillset of becoming self-aware, you can begin to see the differences between when you are falling, and when you are failing.
Simply put, falling is an opportunity to learn and grow. Failing is not.
It’s important then to recognise when you are falling, and more importantly to take action. This might mean reaching out for help, changing your approach, or seeking advice from someone who has been through a similar situation. The most important thing is to never give up on yourself (this is the definition of failing!).
Conduct a self-assessment
When you’re feeling like you’re failing at work, take a step back and assess the situation. Are you really failing, or have you just hit a bump in the road? It’s easy to be dramatic and give up on what you’re doing. It’s harder to address the situation head-on, check yourself, and recognise the difference between falling and failing. If you have just hit a bump in the road, then there is no need to worry. Everyone falls down from time to time, but it’s the people who get back up again that succeed in the end.
On the other hand, if you’re genuinely failing at your job (read: hitting a brick wall and rebounding over and over again!), then it’s time to take action. If upon self-assessment, you realise that you are doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results – well then that is just the definition of insanity! If you recognise the fact that you’re not doing as well as you could be, the next most effective step is to focus your efforts on actions that are within your control and responsibility.
How to take responsibility for your own failures
The first step is to accept that you’re not perfect, and that’s okay. We all make mistakes, and we all have room for improvement. The key is to learn from your mistakes so that you don’t make them again in the future.
This might mean taking a class, reading a book, doing some extra study through useful online resources, or reaching out to a mentor who can help you improve in the areas where you’re struggling. Being accountable for your own actions means taking the initiative to improve yourself and act on the things that are in your realm of control. This is far healthier compared to making excuses or placing the blame on others.
Nobody is perfect, but the most successful people are the ones who learn from their mistakes and keep moving forward. So if you’re faltering in your career, don’t give up! Use self-awareness as your superpower and take responsibility for your own actions so that you can learn from your mistakes and continue moving towards success.
Reach out for help
If you’re feeling like you’re about to fail, the best thing to do is reach out for help. This might mean talking to your boss, seeking advice from a mentor, or even just talking to a friend. The important thing is to create a support network of people who can help you when things get tough. These people will be your biggest cheerleaders when you get things right, and when things get tough they will guide you towards your truth to stay positive and focused on your goals.
Maybe finding a veterinary mentor could be the perfect guide to help you through this challenging time? Be careful though that you don’t rely too heavily on your mentors to solve your own problems. They can give you guidance, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to take action and make the changes that you want to see in your life.
The most important thing is to never give up on yourself. You are capable of so much more than you realise, and with the right mindset, you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. So if you’re feeling like you’re failing at your job, remember the difference between falling and failing, and take action accordingly. With a little bit of effort, you can turn things around and get back on track to success.
Change your approach
If you’re finding that your current approach isn’t working, then it’s time to change things up. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective to see the situation in a new light. Other times, you might need to completely change the way you’re doing things. Either way, the important thing is to be flexible and adaptable and to always be open to new ideas.
Finding success
Self-awareness is the key to success in any area of life, but especially in our careers. By recognising the difference between falling vs failing, we can learn from our mistakes and improve ourselves. And by taking responsibility for our own actions, we can do something about our falling and failings. Never give up on yourself, and always keep moving forward.
Finally, remember that failure is not the end of the world. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow. If you use it wisely, then you can come out the other side a better and more successful person. So don’t give up just yet – there’s still time to turn things around!
