I love this motto: Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. I’m not sure who to credit the words to, but I saw it at a competition with one of my children years ago, and it truly stuck. So, now, when things don’t go the way I wish they would, when my business feels off kilter, or when I try a new approach and it doesn’t work, I try to find the lesson.
Recently, I applied for a fellowship with Georgetown University. It is prestigious and could have opened more doors for my business, specifically, Cards for Connection. They had six spots available. After a lengthy application, video application, and letters of reference, I was not selected. I was truly disappointed and pretty hard on myself about “why” I wasn’t chosen. After allowing myself some moments of grief, I shifted my focus towards what I could learn. Soon after, I received an email from the organization offering time to meet and receive feedback for those of us who were not selected. I wrote back immediately to let them know I was open to feedback – open to learning.
Learning is everything, friends. Having a growth mindset means we are never done learning and growing. I have a meeting with Georgetown in a few weeks to hear about ways that I could have improved and learn more about the fellows who were chosen. That may be a painful process, I realize, but I also know this: I’ll learn just as much about myself, my business, and my programs by NOT getting this fellowship than if I had been granted a spot. So, I’ll show up and learn.
So, here are my takeaways:
- Try hard things
- Be willing to fail
- Give yourself time to grieve when things don’t go your way
- Brush yourself off and find the lesson
By the way, not getting this opportunity opened another door. I applied for a significant grant to grow my curriculum. I’ll let you know how that goes – fingers crossed!
If you’re looking for ways to learn brief interventions for children and families, I hope you consider joining me this fall at our Cards for Connection Conference.
We’ll learn alongside each other!
