“Failure is something to be avoided. Once you fail, you can no longer succeed.” From a young age, I was taught that anything other than success was shameful. The idea of being less than perfect in school, work, and my personal life constantly restricted me. I was told to decide my future and to stick with it or else I would be aimlessly living life without a purpose, without value. Failure would mean I was worthless. 

Society has taught us to avoid failure.

As a collective, we are afraid to fail. We are afraid to venture out of the “norm.”  We avoid failure in school as we strive for As so that we can get into a reputable university, subsequently obtaining an ideal job. What we “fail” to realize is that failure is the key to success. 

The Summer before my freshman year of college, I decided to take a risk. It was no longer in my interest to further my education – much less attend a four-year university. From coloring inside the lines to exclusively taking honors/AP classes, for 12 years I had strived for success. In the eyes of my peers, this one decision erased all of the hard work I had poured into securing my future. What they failed to realize was that this action of “erasure” was the first real step I had taken for myself. I was finally honoring my vision of success and the expectations that come with it – ones I had set in place myself. 

It is important to realize that our journeys should be personalized to our expectations of ourselves. While college may not be in my plans, that does not mean we must abandon higher education to free ourselves from the burden of societal expectations. You can attend college AND reject the “norm.” All it takes is a subtle shift in your mindset.

By reframing your mindset, you are able to see the potential of failure.

Embracing the mindset that we are striving for an end goal; a single defining moment in life that means we “made” it, prolongs the presence of a society that is averse to failure. Once we shift our perspective of life to one that is growth-centric, we are able to use failure to our advantage. If failure is an opportunity for growth, it becomes easier to venture out of our comfort zone. Rather than avoiding failure, embracing it will result in growth, wellness, and new opportunities. 

Failing is Learning

There are four key ways that I embrace failure: 1. Let go of control 2. Let it happen 3. Reflect 4. Do it again. 

To let go of control is to embrace the risk of failure. By “letting” it happen, you are able to digest the lessons of failure. Through reflection, you develop an approach that is conducive to your growth. Repeating the same mistakes will only stunt your growth,  new mistakes will accelerate it. 

Lastly, failure does not mean no. Failure does not mean “give up”. Failure means try again, just in a different way. 

“Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail.” – Michelle Obama

Working remotely AND living through a pandemic? From navigating teleconference platforms to constantly looking at a screen, you definitely have a lot on your plate.  So what do you do when you find yourself with a new job for which you’ll be working remotely? You read this article and implement these tips into your daily routine, obviously.

Tip #1 – Create YOUR Ideal Workspace

Your surroundings reflect your mindset. Designate a space in your home with natural lighting, an organized background, and an area with minimized distractions for attending virtual calls. Consider placing framed photos or succulents on your desk. You must add your own personal touch! 

Tip #2-  Proactive > Reactive

Now is the time to COMMUNICATE! Make it a habit to reach out to your co-workers. It’s easy to lose focus in a remote setting. However, with the right amount of communication you’ll be able to stay on track. Do you find yourself needing an extension on a deadline for a particular task? Reach out to your supervisor! There is no such thing as too much communication.

Tip #3 –  Strengthen Connections 

While it is certainly quicker to send a message through text or email, don’t make this your only line of communication. Make an effort to communicate with phone and video calls. Starting a new project? Kick it off with a video call! This strengthens your connections AND is a great way to take care of your mental health (isolation is never a good thing).

Tip #4 – Mind breaks.

It feels great to tackle a bunch of tasks at once BUT consider the bigger picture and the potential for burnout. Incorporate 5-minute breaks throughout your day. This doesn’t mean absent-mindedly scrolling through social media. Take a walk! Listen to your favorite song/podcast! Mind breaks are an opportunity to step away from your screens. *Your mind will thank you later.*

Tip #5 – Prioritize YOU

While taking on extra tasks may be tempting, be sure to prioritize your mental health.  Be honest with yourself. Can you handle that extra task? It is OK to set boundaries for yourself in the workplace. Be sure to communicate and be honest with your co-workers. As you navigate your virtual workplace, make the effort to connect, communicate, and CREATE. Most importantly: Do good. Have fun. 

Let us know how these tips work for you! Tag us on Instagram: @WorkWonder.io and @BayhaGroup

Emma Rose Manetta is a Co-Designer at Bayha Group. She manages social media, content creation, and much more. Emma Rose is a poet and creative writer, a profession she is pursuing.