Navigating Failure
Failure is a part of science - whether in the twists and turns of your data or in the ups and downs of career milestones like paper submissions and job applications.
We tend to focus on the outcomes (good or bad) and forget that learning how to fail is its own skill and process.
Navigating failure, and developing your own approach to this skill, requires reflection and introspection. Try out some of these approaches and resources to see what works for you!
Name the Feeling.
As scientists we usually prefer to be logical, intellectual, and objective. Yet failure isn’t any of those things!
Instead, failure brings up lots of feelings. We have to deal with those before we can take action.
The first step is to name the emotions and physical sensations you are feeling, or felt, in a situation. Check out this list to get you started.
When in doubt, WRITE IT OUT!
In general, writing about experiences can strengthen your memory and help process information and emotions. Writing by hand (versus typing on your phone or laptop) can be the most beneficial. Learn more about The Benefits of Writing.
The next time you’re feeling down, unmotivated, rejected, overwhelmed, unsure, or even bored, try writing about it. This can be in a journal or even just a scrap of paper.
Do a total brain dump - write whatever is in your mind, with no censorship. Check out this list of writing prompts if you get stuck.
Identify Any Patterns.
The first two approaches focus on increasing your self-awareness. You can then apply that awareness to see if there are any patterns in your experiences.
For example:
Is there a common emotion you feel when you encounter failure?
What is your typical response to that emotion?
Is there a particular emotion that you get stuck in or paralyzed by?
Are there certain situations or environments that just don’t feel good?
Personally, I can get really stuck when I’m frustrated. If I feel frustrated by a situation or result, my natural tendency is to stew and get bogged down in that emotion.
Find What Works.
Once you are more aware of your feelings and thoughts, you can try different things to cope and get unstuck.
For example:
Go for a walk.
Listen to a song or playlist that matches your emotion.
Try a breathing or mediation app.
Vent to a trusted friend.
Watch a movie or tv show that comforts you.
Step away from the problem (for an hour, a day, or a week).
Personally, to get through my frustration I have to do two things: write about it in a journal, and take a walk listening to my favorite music.
Only after I’ve done those two things can I see the problem objectively enough to do anything about it.
Write a Plan for Next Time.
This is where you can really set yourself up for success!
Once you’re more familiar with your own responses, and have started to find what works for you to move through those responses, you can develop your own process for next time.
It’s helpful to map out “when I feel X, doing Y helps me feel better.”
You can even reflect on past experiences with failure. With hindsight, is it clear what would have helped you better?
We’re Rooting for You!