Ep. 129: I successfully Failed 100 Times

Welcome to Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast. In this week's podcast, I want to talk with you about how I failed 100 times this year. Wait, What?!?! Yes, you heard right! In 2019, I made the goal to fail on purpose 100 times. The goal was to set my goals so high that I was forced to fail. And guess what? I failed 100 times. I possibly failed 1000 times. I failed so many times I lost count.
In this podcast, my hope is to share with you my personal experiment in changing the way that I feel and respond to the thought of failure.

Here are examples of how I failed 100 times:

• I asked a lot of people to come on the podcast. A lot of people said no. I knew they would, but I figured it was worth a try. But, do you know what I learned? I learned that a lot of people I didn't think would say yes did.

• I took a course that was so hard and out of my line of skills and really struggled to complete it.

• I started playing the ukulele even though I was so afraid of being terrible at it (which I am).

• I pitched a book to a publishing company (more on this later).

• I said yes to being Room Mum for both of my kids (knowing I would not be the best at it).

• I aimed to increase registration for ERP School and we did it. We reached the highest registration yet.

But here is the thing. I also failed 100 times at things I never set out to fail at. I had to accept in many ways that I cannot push my body to do things that I simply could not do. This was the hardest part about failing. I had to stare my fear of failing at the easy stuff over and over again.

Here are examples of how I not only failed 100 times, but gave myself permission to fail, even though it hurt so much.

◆ Remember that course I told you about? I got so sick, I didn't finish it. I had to drop out and this made me face imperfection and failure head-on.

◆ I was a less than perfect therapist! I missed sessions with clients, and I double booked clients during times when I was so overwhelmed.

◆ I gave myself permission to share the struggles I have had with friends. I was so embarrassed to do this, but I am so glad I did. I learned that when you share your struggles, you actually feel more connected with the people around you.

But finally, the most important example of how I failed 100 times is the decision I have made to take a month off of the podcast. After much consideration, I have decided to listen to my body and take the month of December to rest, rejuvenate and repair. I fought this decision for a long time, but I know it is what I need.

With that being said, I want to thank you for being so loyal and kind to me. I adore your support. I wish you a very Happy 2019 Holiday! I will be back in January, ready to go. Ready to fail!

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