How do you feel when you make a mistake in a matter that is really important to you? Are you disappointed, do you want to scream, punch the wall or hit yourself on the forehead? Are you angry with yourself? Or maybe mistakes cause you to feel fear, tension, anxiety, anxiety and the feeling that you are on the way to the abyss?
It's amazing that the very prospect of a person making a mistake is accompanied by such fear. Many of us are wary (this does not always happen consciously) of unfamiliar things and things that are outside the scope of our knowledge and competence. This is because we are afraid of making a mistake.
But if we want to be successful, we just need to get out of our comfort zone!
So, how to motivate yourself to go to new horizons without fear of making a mistake? The answer is simple, but it may seem counterintuitive to you: give yourself the right to make a mistake.
Perhaps this is not what you wanted to hear and you probably think: "This is terrible advice. If I make a mistake, I will pay for it." But you don't have to worry about it! Research shows that when you give yourself the right to make a mistake, the probability that you will make it becomes very, very small.
When we approach the solution of a particular problem, our thinking can be conditionally attributed to one of two types. Type 1 — thinking in the style of "Being the best", when you focus on proving that you have all the possibilities to solve a problem and you know how to solve it. Type 2 — thinking in the style of "Being better". In this case, your attention is focused on developing your abilities. The difference between these two approaches is that in the first case you are proving to everyone that you are very smart, and in the second case you are trying to become smarter.
The problem with the first type of thinking is that when we encounter something difficult and unfamiliar, it causes problems. We begin to feel fear from the prospect of making a mistake, because it will mean that we lack competence and knowledge. As a result, this leads to frustration, frustration.
Anxiety and frustration, in turn, undermine productivity and many cognitive processes that underlie creative and analytical thinking.
In addition, when we pay too much attention to things being done perfectly (thinking "To be the best"), we atrophy the kind of search thinking and behavior that creates new knowledge and innovation.
Now let's look at the thinking in the style of "Being better". It's practically bulletproof. When we think about things and tasks, recognizing that we may make some mistakes on the way to solving them, we do not lose ground under our feet, despite the failures that may arise.
So, when you embark on a new task, do you expect yourself to perform flawlessly, no matter how difficult the task may be?
What are you focused on: being the best (her) or getting better?
Below are three steps that will help you change your mindset and free yourself from the fear of mistakes:
When starting a new project, unequivocally admit that it is difficult and that it will take you some time to "fill your hand". You can make a few mistakes and that's fine. To learn something, you need to develop it. (Repeat this phrase to yourself as many times as necessary).
When facing problems, do not hesitate to contact other people. Too often we hide our mistakes rather than share them with those who can give us valuable advice and guidance. Questions and mistakes will not make you look stupid, but if you behave as if you are an expert on all issues, you will certainly look like an idiot.
Try not to compare your own work and achievements with similar things from other people (yes, it's difficult, but try). Instead, compare your work today with your work and achievements last month or last year.
Yes, you can make mistakes, you may not be perfect, but is there any positive progress, are you getting better? That's the only question that matters.
Are you still afraid of making a mistake?
