Failure is an Important Part of the Learning Process

Episode 70

Today, we’re talking about failure. Not an easy topic, I know. But failure is actually an important part of the learning process!

So let’s get comfortable with mistakes and even failure, my friend!!!

“There’s no such thing as failure,
only feedback.”
Unknown

Ok, a bit of vulnerability to kick things off here. I find it SO hard to be embarrassed. I don’t want others to see me make mistakes. And…I want to be liked. I’m a people pleaser.

People-pleasing has really held me back in many aspects. I’ve gotten more comfortable with failure now that I’ve given that up.

I work every day at moving beyond it. And being compassionate with myself. Getting to know and love myself has lead to so many discoveries. And was the first step in getting more comfortable with failure.

What I’ve discovered is that fear of failure is rooted in a lack of self-compassion. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do ~ learning to love yourself ~ mistakes, failures, flaws and all.

Learning to be compassionate with yourself and embracing failure as part of growth are important steps in the journey!

Fear of Failure Affects How You Show Up for Your Children

Wondering what this might have to do with homeschooling?

Before I share more, I want you to consider that your own journey of self-discovery directly affects how you show up for your children.

We all have insecurities, doubts, and feeling like we’re not doing it right. About many things we do.

And especially about homeschooling. I find so many homeschooling parents I talk to are afraid they’re doing it wrong. Sometimes so afraid that they freeze up, not knowing what to do next.

Has that ever happened to you? I think that’s why we purchase another curriculum, and then another. Because we don’t know what to do, we certainly don’t want to do it wrong, and we think the next thing we buy will give us the answer.

But honestly, we just have to be willing to make mistakes. We need to get comfortable with failure. Because we can’t make progress if we’re not willing to make mistakes. And we rob ourselves of an incredible learning experience when we try so hard to avoid failure.

But here’s the reassurance I want you to take away from this episode ~ failure is important for learning!

Failure is an Important Part of the Learning Process

“Why?”, you may ask?

Failure helps our children develop skills of determination and perseverance.
Also, failure builds self-esteem.
I know it seems ironic, but when we struggle at first to get something, we feel so good about our success! This has so much more impact than when something comes easily right away.
Failure helps children learn that it’s ok to make mistakes and that this is a normal part of the learning process

As it turns out, mistakes are integral to the learning process. Failure not only improves information recall but critical thinking, too. That’s how children become skilled problem-solvers!!!

So don’t forget to give your children the gift of permission to fail. So that they can have more opportunities to learn and grow.

Just Keep Going

Failure can also teach us so many things about ourselves. Embrace it as a BONUS on the self-discovery path.

So recently, I’ve started learning piano again after many, many years. And this has reminded me of the phrase I always used when my children stumbled, hesitated, or made a mistake.

“Just keep going!”

So my message to you is this: Just keep going. Be gentle with yourself. Work on self-compassion and get comfortable with failure. Embrace your mistakes as opportunities to grow and discover something new about yourself.

Here are the benefits to ourselves of getting comfortable with failure:

The more experience we have with failure, the stronger and more resilient we become.
Failure teaches us to learn to laugh at ourselves.
And over time, failure helps us to build our confidence which is what we ultimately want!

Remember, “There is no such thing as failure, only feedback.”

Because in the end, getting comfortable with failure is truly a gift. Giving us the opportunity to learn, be humble, and admit that there’s still so much out there we don’t know.

Maybe you needed to hear this today! I offer you compassion and empowerment, homeschooling friend, so you can embrace failure as a learning and growing experience. Both for yourself and for your children.💜

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