Picking yourself up when things go wrong

Have you ever found it hard to pick yourself up when things go wrong?

In my blog, The Power of Being 100% All-In I discussed how I’m adopting an attitude of committing fully to everything I decide to do. 

But the reality is that no matter how positive we are, sometimes life takes a swipe at us, and we can feel our dreams or world fall apart. 

Insights from a former wishful figure skater

I used to be a figure skater who loved doing the odd Axel, spinning, and dancing on ice.

It was my childhood passion and I used to dream of being one of the best in the world.

But the reality was I wasn’t nearly good enough. So instead it became an all-consuming hobby that brought me lots of joy. 

Forty years later I still occasionally find myself practicing a Lutz in my bedroom or prancing around on an empty beach as if I’m still in my youth. In my mind, I’m still a younger more athletic version of myself.

One great lesson I learned from skating is to pick yourself up – quickly.

While good ice skaters often look so graceful they do all fall frequently – even Olympians. 

But falling doesn’t mean they’re a failure or are not good at what they’re doing – they are elite athletes who are the best in the world!

They fall because they want to excel and are pushing themselves to be the best they can be.

Picking ourselves up is an essential skill in itself

Learning how to pick themselves up and carry on is almost as important as the technical skills of skating and delivering a good performance.

The same is true for each of us too – in all aspects of life.

Falls, knocks, and failures may temporarily sabotage your success and zap your joy, but they’re not always bad.

In fact, they often make us stronger, and more resilient, and present great opportunities we wouldn’t otherwise have experienced.  

Likewise, it can be terribly distressing, upsetting, and debilitating, when life throws us a challenging curveball, but there are also often things we can do to cope better and feel better. 

So how do you pick yourself up when things go wrong or don’t go as you hope?

I share many ideas for how to do this in my book Heartatude, The 9 Principles of Heart-Centered Success.  Here are a few to get you started:

• Mindset – be open to the possibility that what you want to do or achieve is possible, you may just need to practice or learn new skills to get there. 

• Put yourself in a positive emotional state where possible BEFORE taking any action – so you can feel better and make healthier decisions about your best next steps.

• Apply the same level of determination to succeed as you did when first learning to walk – picking yourself up again and again until you get your desired result. 

• Learn techniques to let go of that critical voice, negative emotions, or past traumas that may be holding you back.

• Pull together a good support team including friends, family, a coach, or therapists so you have people to speak to – and remember to ask them for help!

Imagine what could be different if you believed 

Life is more interesting on the other side of your comfort zone… 

There is no such thing as failure… only opportunities to learn or to eliminate what doesn’t work…

The more you try out new things and practice, the more likely you are to enjoy life…

You can learn how to manage your emotions naturally so you find it easier to pick yourself up when things go wrong,

If all these were true, what would you give a shot that you’ve held back from in the past? 

With love