Failure IS an Option — stillsheryl

You know when something is top of mind for you, but you keep pushing the thoughts away because you don’t want to deal with the hard part of fixing something in your life? Well, I’ve been feeling something recently, and then all of a sudden I was bombarded with 3 different sources giving me the same message in 24 hours.

I struggle with letting myself fail. I have this ridiculous standard for myself, and I feel like I have to do everything perfectly or not do it at all. I always want to be the best I can be, and nothing less is acceptable.

There are parts of my life where I have started to let these standards for myself go, like in my yoga practice. I used to shame myself for not being flexible enough, or strong enough, or “you fill in the blank” enough.

I’ve finally gotten to a point where I don’t care what people think about me in yoga. If I fall it’s ok! It means I am pushing myself to try something difficult. If someone thinks I’m not flexible enough or whatever enough, who cares! It’s my practice, not theirs.

The place where I struggle with this ridiculous standard for myself the most is at work. I have a hard time voicing my opinion or taking risks because I’m afraid of being judged or seen in a bad light.

Let me tell you, I know a sign when I see it! Three different sources telling me that I need to fail more to grow and learn. My boss gave me feedback that I need to push myself outside of my comfort zone and that failing is ok (and encouraged!), I read the next chapter (called “Failure Is the Way Forward”) in a book I’m reading, and then at yoga this morning the message was about getting messy and not being afraid of failure.

Well, message received. I’ve already done a few things today that are slightly out of my comfort zone (spoke up twice in a team meeting and posted a few ideas in different slack channels).

Here’s to making myself take on a new challenge every day. It’s ok to start small, but I’m hoping to slowly build up my confidence and work towards big changes and bigger risks!

I recently went bouldering for the first time in a LONG time and was really nervous, but once i got there I had a blast!