Confidence in Failures

“I am not a math person.” “I’m just not smart.” We categorize ourselves because we are desperate for a sense of belonging. We create categories for certain traits and make them a part of our identities.

I’m sure that many people in the classroom would be able to identify with these statements. We turn these negative characteristics into a mildly positive experience by creating a shared feeling with others. However, this creates a ripple effect. People sharing similar beliefs about themselves start to form groups where they encourage each other to uphold this identity they have created. We are essentially putting ourselves in tiny boxes, putting up walls to other opportunities that can help us grow. Having this “fixed mindset” means that we are inadvertently hindering our ability to reach our full potential.

If I can truly believe that I am able to break through the box I’ve created for myself, not only does a whole new set of opportunities become available, but it also becomes more enjoyable. Believing that I am capable of learning and growing and that the level of intelligence is attainable through effort is called the “growth mindset.” This mindset creates more confidence in failures. We begin to see failure as a valuable process instead of the end. The growth mindset spreads way beyond the world of education. It affects our daily lives through self-esteem, confidence, social skills, and more. Believing that I am able to become the person I aspire to be can help us put more effort into the process and lead to positive results.

I’ve always dreamt of being a confident person in every aspect of my life but never thought it was possible. However, living with the growth mindset for the past year has gradually changed my life. What other people say about who I am doesn’t affect what I believe about myself anymore. Yesterday, I was lazy. This doesn’t make me a lazy person unless I let myself believe that to be true. If I become a lazy person, I will be one tomorrow and the day after. But I can choose to believe that I had a relaxing day yesterday and that I am going to have a productive day today and tomorrow. It’s as simple as that.

My life is lived through my perspective, and my perspective is how I see the world. This means that how I view myself determines who I can become. So why not live in a world where I can become beautiful, confident, and intelligent?