The Joy Of Messing Up
NEXT|November 2019
The fear of failure can hold us back from many opportunities. But, says Kate Graham, embracing mistakes can be the key to success
- Kate Graham
The Joy Of Messing Up

With a sinking heart Jessica knew the job interview wasn’t going well. Midway through her presentation, still foggy-headed from staying up with her sick daughter the night before, the political consultant could feel her confidence slipping away. “I managed to keep going even though I knew I hadn’t prepared enough,” she says. “But the next day I was mortified to hear the damning feedback they’d given to the recruitment consultant. They said that while I had the quantity – the years of experience – I lacked the quality. It was really quite cutting.” Her confidence was damaged badly. “I gave up on the job search and stayed in a position I’d outgrown. Even when my boss left and I knew I could easily have done that job, I didn’t go for it.”

Many of us have a failure horror story, be it a relationship rejection or exam blunder, that has the power to make us shiver however long ago it happened. But even without a dramatic moment, the fear of it can make a profound impact on our lives.

For me it has meant steering clear of the things I thought I couldn’t succeed at. During school it was anything to do with numbers. At university I wouldn’t have dreamed of trying out for a sports team. Why put myself in a position to fail – publicly? Divide an uncertain world into the things I can and can’t do, stick firmly in my lane and I’m both protected and can project success. Win-win.

Except now I watch my daughters. My one-yearold falls 100 times a day and bounces back up and my three-year-old happily misses the mark at everything from French to swimming. At 39, I want to know their secret, not least because I want to help them preserve that spirit. I don’t want them to follow in my failure-fearing footsteps.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

この蚘事は NEXT の November 2019 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は NEXT の November 2019 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

NEXTのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Caitlin Cady Shares Her Journey
NEXT

Caitlin Cady Shares Her Journey

Caitlin Cady always liked being in control, so the thought of meditating scared her. But once she sat down and let her thoughts leave her mind, it proved to be incredibly important to her health. She shares her journey

time-read
8 分  |
April 2020
The Wright Direction
NEXT

The Wright Direction

Back on home soil after her stint in NYC, Rebecca Wright shares with Monique McKenzie what she thinks the future holds for the US, and why she is proud of the positive role modelling New Zealand offers her young daughter

time-read
8 分  |
April 2020
View From The Top
NEXT

View From The Top

She’s just turned 50 and Hilary Barry is feeling happier and more comfortable in her own skin than ever before. The Seven Sharp host sits down with Phoebe Watt to talk about gratitude and why she won’t let the odd barb bring her down.

time-read
8 分  |
March 2020
How To Magnify Your Meal
NEXT

How To Magnify Your Meal

There are certain natural foods that offer higher nutrients than others, but how do we know which to choose? Anna King Shahab looks at how we can make choices that are backed by science.

time-read
6 分  |
March 2020
My big BREAK
NEXT

My big BREAK

Sometimes things come together in ways we could never have imagined. Sharon Stephenson speaks to three Kiwi women about the pivotal moments that helped launch their careers and businesses to success

time-read
7 分  |
April 2020
MOTHER AND SISTER
NEXT

MOTHER AND SISTER

Linda Armstrong attended the Linwood Islamic Centre every Friday and on the day of the Christchurch mosque attack she confronted the shooter, asking him to stop. Now her daughter Angela Armstrong is going back over her mum’s footsteps to learn more about her conversion to Islam and the community she loved

time-read
6 分  |
April 2020
The Acid Test For Anxiety
NEXT

The Acid Test For Anxiety

Microdosing involves taking tiny amounts of illegal psychedelic drugs such as LSD or magic Microdosing, the practice of taking tiny amounts of illegal psychedelic drugs, is being hailed by some as a new form of therapy. We separate the shamanism from the science in pursuit of the truth

time-read
7 分  |
March 2020
Queen Of The Beehive
NEXT

Queen Of The Beehive

Tova O’Brien is living her career dream, leading Three’s all-female political team in parliament. She tells Sharon Stephenson about reporting from Europe’s hot spots, landing in jail, and what they really talk about in the press gallery

time-read
6 分  |
March 2020
NEXT

Passion Project: How To Write A Romance

Have you ever secretly thought you could be the next Nora Roberts or Diana Gabaldon? Award-winning Kiwi romance novelist Bronwyn Sell takes you through her 10-step plan

time-read
7 分  |
March 2020
The End Game
NEXT

The End Game

Everyone has their own approach to goal setting, but do some work better than others? Monique McKenzie shares the methods that will help you get to where you want to be.

time-read
7 分  |
March 2020