Who doesn’t want to succeed? It brings us joy and pleasure and strengthens our self-confidence. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of victory. However, what happens when we not succeed?
Meet Mary, a 31-year-old who decided to return to school and pursue a law degree. It took her a while to implement the decision and collect information about the registration process. Finally, she was able to study for the entrance exam for law school (LSAT). Despite her hard work and taking a preparation course, her score was lower than she expected.
Mary, feeling frustrated, angry, and annoyed, concluded, “I am not smart enough to be a lawyer”. Overwhelmed with shame, she abandoned the idea, keeping it a secret from everyone outside her family. Internalizing it as a personal failure, she blamed herself. Since then, she has not made any attempts to try again or return to school. Fearful of making changes in her career, she continues to work as a bookkeeper.
We all yearn for success. Even the smallest achievements bring us joy, pleasure, and fortify our self-confidence, creating an unparalleled sense of victory. Yet, in reality, life encompasses both success and failure. The perception of failure is subjective, shaped by our beliefs. What one person sees as failure might be viewed as success by another. The extent of failure is also subjective—whether we assess the entire process, focus solely on the result, and so forth.
In Mary’s case, her test score may not have been high enough for acceptance to her desired college, but it proved sufficient for admission to other institutions.
Using FearLessMind app can assist Mary in alleviating the fear and anxiety associated with making changes in her professional life, stemming from her perceived low performance. Engaging with the App can introduce new perspectives about herself and her abilities, empowering her to think, “Yes, I am disappointed that I didn’t achieve the desired score, but it doesn’t define my intelligence. I can still pursue further studies, retake the exam, or explore different university options”.
