All Psyched Up: Failure!
By Dr. Linda Hancock on July 13, 2024.
We all make mistakes! When we think about the last time that we didn’t meet our own expectations, it is usually because we have not met the standards that we have been holding onto through time. Some of us might have the idea that we must do everything perfectly and feel stress trying to accomplish this while others do not have any desire to set or meet goals. Personally, I have a number of commitments and usually meet them. One of the things that I have managed over the years is to complete all of my paperwork for the day before bedtime. This way, I don’t have to worry about forgetting details that might otherwise happen with the passage of time. This also has been a habit that has saved me hours of grief as there is always a fresh start the following morning. When it comes to writing articles for the newspapers, I have, for over two decades, ensured that this task was always completed each Monday evening. That way the editors have time to assess the length and most appropriate placement for the article. Even though it has been many, many years, twice I have missed the mark. This week was one of those times. I don’t want to make any excuses or appear to be irresponsible – just honest. On Saturday, my oldest grandson was married in Olds, Alberta. The family drove there on Friday, worked hard to set up the venue for guests and then, after tons of fun and dancing, drove home on Sunday. I was absolutely exhausted. For the first time ever, my brother-in-law spent time with us on Monday. I completely forgot the task of writing my article until one of the editors reminded me. Embarrassed! Then I got tied up with clients until late on Tuesday night and headed to bed, again without completing the task. Am I a failure? Not according to the gracious editor for the Lethbridge Herald. He is a man of grace and reminds me that he, too has missed deadlines. I am thankful that he is more forgiving than I have been. What are some of the things that you have forgotten to do? Were you hard on yourself? Or did you offer yourself forgiveness? Did you remember that humans make mistakes and that doesn’t mean that we are mistakes? I remember the wisdom of a guest speaker at my grandson’s convocation in California a few years ago. She said that as a golf professional she always tells her mentees that to FAIL is just First Attempt At Learning! My apologies to the newspapers for my tardiness this week. They forgive me and I will therefore forgive myself. And by the way, the wedding was fantastic! Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com 16-15
