7 ways to stop setting yourself up for failure

 

Now that the year is on tick tock and we have already gone past mid-January no matter how slow or quick you go, each day you live is one less from the year. Whatever you do start believing that you are capable, believe in yourself and that you can change your situation. You might have done things in the past that left you in a rut but that doesn’t define you or make you a failure. Here is how you can avoid setting yourself up for failure;

Never hesitate to start small

Sometimes to make the biggest change in your life you need to start small. The smallest things can be significant in the end. Each time you set yourself to achieve something small, you are likely to meet it compared to a big target. As you go by meeting each small target, your confidence also kicks. You get the feeling like ‘yea, I can do this, I am good and am capable’. With such a boost in confidence, you are motivated to take on more of the small things and grind. This is you accomplishing your tasks whilst at the same time getting the mojo to do things. When you just go for the big bang and crush out, you will feel like you weren’t cut off for the task-You will get disappointed, distraught and stressed immediately leaving you feeling like giving up. Unknown to many when you start small you will always arrive at your bigger goal eventually. You don’t have to go for the full marathon the first time before having a feel of how tough or ease you find jogging a short distance.

Learn to break things into smaller do-able tasks – you want to build an empire-start with a small unit, or you want to be a successful sportsperson—start by eating healthy. You will find that if you break your bigger goals into manageable targets it can help you to feel less fearful and more excited about the possibilities. It is easier to focus and get stuff done when dealing with things that are easily achievable than a bigger task that seem impossible.

Be patient, returns can take time to come

With the new year and new season, people are on the edge-“I want to lose weight in this January, I want to bring the cash, want to change career and life all so quickly” Its just too rapid, too rushed and not thought through. Many forget that even changing a diet or eating healthy demand taking one step at a time. It’s a lifestyle which means there is nothing wrong with you moving at a steady pace. A forced false start can burn you out making you lose momentum along the way. In the end, you will get negative results and you will certainly feel like shi*. With any change, you have to allow yourself to get into a habit, nurture your new ways and then build. The successful ones are those who stick to steady progress to the end. You arent just changing your life for the day but forever – Its a marathon not a sprint.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. Confucius

 Make your goals realistic

Sometimes you don’t need to strive for ‘glamorous’ milestones. Just because a few of your friends, colleagues or friends are aiming for something big doesn’t mean you too should. Be driven by what you are passionate about, things that meet your interest and talent. You can be the next person you admire. Whatever goals or resolutions you set for yourself, they have to be realistic and even small enough, and importantly achievable. When you fail to meet your goals, your confidence takes a knock and left feeling stressed.Just a few changes can set you for success instead of failure. The only thing you need is to plan, focus and put in the work. Don’t leave room for any excuses and neither can you wait-You are already read. Take advantage of the “fresh start effect”Developing interest, passion, commitment & determination are the qualities which will keep you stick to your goals. I know at times we see these people as being lucky, gifted, talented, famous, blessed, whatever. If only you knew, they only thing they changed was to let go of things that made them feel like blah and focused their energy on things they were passionate about.  You know you are working on something you are passionate when you remain pursuant and persevere no matter the difficulties.

Take on risks

Wherever there is an opportunity there is a bit of risk associated with it. You have to take a gamble, take that risk and take on your chance. Every little success comes from taking risks. Don’t be scared putting your neck out—if it feels right go for it. One common thing between successful entrepreneurs is that they take risks-: Yes there is need to take a measured approach but don’t let any fears stop you from taking what is rightfully yours. The quote by Alan H. Olmstead gives you the more reason for taking risks, “Failure is always a safe, familiar, no-risk refuge, a known experience; it focuses on testing no new responsibilities upon one. Success, on the other hand, is an unknown territory and a high-risk business; the very lifestyle it imposes if full of relentless demands for even better performances and achievements.” Successful people are mindful that there are risks to be taken. They take measured risks and are far from being averse. By taking the risks, they are aware there is a possibility of failing. Does that stop them, certainly not. To successful people, it is, even more, riskier not to take risks. They can’t bear to live in the what if life, the sort you would regret for not taking a risk.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” J. K. Rowling

Believe in your own abilities

There is no better way to get started with your goals than to having self-belief.  A lack of self-belief can derail your plans and make you feel like you are not up to the task. If you allow yourself to doubt your abilities you are likely to fail to measure up to any tasks. Realize your potential, believe in your own talents, and you’ll be one major step closer to success.

Never waste time comparing yourself to others

How can you push boundaries when you are invested in living the lives of others? Each day never passes without comparing to the next person. What with social media, the constant scrolling up and down of who has what and what places they lives does nothing but distract you. There is obviously the thing called admiration. It has its place in our lives. But being obsessed with comparing your life to that of others isn’t admiration-it’s a self-damaging act. Life unfolds at different pace and time for each and every person. The fact that every one of the person you went to college with is successful by their definition doesn’t mean you were meant to be at that level just yet, it equally doesn’t mean you won’t make it or even surpass their level. Its all about timing babe, you go to stay focused in your lane.

 Always make a Plan

Whatever you do whether you think you have the sharpest memory, have a written plan. When you fail to plan less important things are likley to creep in, you are sure to lose your valuable time and focus. I am not just talking about entertaining friends, taking time to hit the movies, ever on social media- but even getting distracted by work-related tasks that are of less priority. None of these are any bad but when you begin to allocate more time than required in doing less productive and less valuable things, you leave yourself vulnerable. Get yourself in the habit of documenting everything and sticking to your plan. Going about without using a list is futile, you can easily lose track of things that need doing. You are more likely to get surprised when all of a sudden you realise you have looming deadlines or have missed critical activities. You are likely to lose sight, control, and understanding of what you want to achieve. Businesses sometimes fail not because they are bad business but because you fail to control what needs doing. Planning is that essential tool you need to deliver on your goals and meet targets.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin

 

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