Dan Harris, a former news anchor and author of 10% Happier, joins Dr. Laurie Santos to explore the art of dealing with career setbacks. He shares his own experience of having a panic attack live on air, reflecting on how such humbling moments can lead to personal growth. The conversation emphasizes embracing failure as a necessary step toward self-discovery and resilience. They advocate for cultivating a growth mindset, prioritizing self-compassion, and learning to view failures as essential learning experiences in our professional journeys.
Career setbacks are a common experience, highlighting the necessity of embracing failure as part of personal and professional growth.
Engaging with mental health professionals can provide critical insights and coping strategies for effectively managing feelings of failure and panic.
Adopting a mindset of radical optimism encourages individuals to view failures as learning opportunities, fostering creativity and resilience.
Deep dives
Celebrating Life's Milestones
Life is filled with moments worth celebrating, whether it's buying a new home, acquiring a dream car, or enjoying a well-deserved vacation. These milestones can be even more rewarding when paired with financial savings, such as those offered by bundling home and auto insurance. This approach not only enhances personal joy but also underscores the importance of financial management in our lives. By securing an affordable price tailored to individual needs, one can continue to celebrate these significant life events without financial strain.
The Power of Pet Companionship
Spending time with pets is a highly effective way to elevate one's mood, especially on challenging days. Research has demonstrated that the presence of pets can lead to a notable reduction in stress and anxiety levels, fostering a sense of purpose and connection. Recognizing this bond, initiatives like the Purple Leash Project aim to address critical issues faced by domestic abuse survivors who often struggle to leave due to the inability to take their pets with them. By advocating for pet-friendly shelters, the project not only protects the well-being of animals but also supports survivors in their journey to safety and healing.
Understanding and Overcoming Panic Attacks
Personal experiences with panic attacks can serve as pivotal moments in one's life and career, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness. A significant incident can trigger feelings of embarrassment and failure, but it can also lead to valuable lessons through therapy and self-reflection. Engaging with mental health professionals helps individuals gain insights into underlying causes and develop coping strategies. This process can ultimately foster resilience and a deeper understanding of one's emotional landscape.
The Benefits of Embracing Failure
Failure is often perceived negatively, but it holds valuable opportunities for learning and growth. Developing a mindset that views failures as chances to gain insights can empower individuals to take risks and experiment. To navigate these moments effectively, embracing self-compassion and reframing negative self-talk into constructive conversations is essential. Recognizing that setbacks are not definitive of one's worth or future potential promotes a healthier perspective on failure.
Radical Optimism and Moving Forward
Adopting a stance of radical optimism can help individuals reframe their experiences with failure by acknowledging that setbacks do not have to be the end of growth. In practical terms, this means recognizing that even when projects do not turn out as planned, there are still lessons to be learned that can inform future endeavors. By fostering a culture of experimentation, individuals can move more freely without the paralyzing fear of failure. This approach creates an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish, reinforcing that every experience contributes to personal and professional development.
You can't alway win at work. We all have career setbacks and disappointments - and learning how to deal with them is vital. We need to move on from our mistakes, accept that we're not superhuman, and be willing to see failure as the price of experimenting and taking risks.
Former news anchor Dan Harris (of 10% Happier with Dan Harris and DanHarris.com) joins Dr Laurie Santos to discuss the things that have gone wrong in his work life (he had a panic attack live on national TV) - and the ways in which we can reframe how we greet our career failures.
