Embrace Failure: Overcoming Perfectionism for Women in Tech
You are going to fail, so let’s talk overcoming perfectionism.
You may be thinking, “Wow Jossie, aren’t you supposed to be boosting my confidence, not predicting I’m going to fail?”
Don’t worry – I’m still your biggest cheerleader. But I’m also here to lovingly challenge those perfectionist tendencies that might be holding you back.
And while it may seem counterintuitive, acknowledging that failure is part of the journey might just be your secret weapon to success.
The Perfectionism Trap
I often hear from women who make a mistake and then:
- Beat themselves up about it
- Get incredibly upset
- Spiral into negative self-talk
While emotions are important signals, dwelling on mistakes can be counterproductive.
(and hey, I get this can be easier said than done as a recovering good girl, people pleasing, perfectionist myself 🙂 )
Overcoming Perfectionism by Reframing Failure
Here’s the truth: we’re human. We’re going to make mistakes and fail along the way. The key is to:
- Treat failures as learning opportunities
- Develop a plan to prevent similar mistakes
- Shift focus from the failure to future improvement
It’s about catching yourself when you’re heading down that negative rabbit hole. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, then pivot your mindset from failure to learning.
Building Your Support System
This mindset shift isn’t always easy, especially as you climb the career ladder. It’s crucial to build a support network:
- Within your company: Find peers you can lean on
- Outside your company: Connect with others in similar roles
- Coaches and mentors: Seek guidance from experienced professionals
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success is part of your growth as a leader.
The Reality Check
We’re often so worried that one mistake will be our downfall. But here’s the truth bomb: if you’re consistently showing up as a high performer and delivering results, most people won’t judge you harshly for the occasional slip-up. Especially if you:
- Acknowledge the mistake
- Take responsibility
- Outline how you’ll prevent it from happening again
Remember this: We’re usually our own harshest critics. That voice in your head telling you you’ve ruined everything? It’s probably way off base. So next time you make a mistake, take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you’re human, and that your track record of success speaks louder than any single error.
Struggling with a recent setback or worried about a potential failure? I’m here to listen.
Stay bold and keep growing.
