Reactions to Tough Moments - An Observation
A minor disappointment today got me thinking about the different ways in which either I’ve reacted or observed others react to tough moments - more specifically failures, disappointments, losses and defeats. The list below in random order -
Deny - What failure? :P
Criticize - If I’m going down, I’m taking everybody with me!
Blame - The most common reaction - it is easy, makes you feel better and we all love doing it.
Sympathize - So what I failed in X, atleast I’m successful in A,B and C.
Share - This works to some extent - if you don’t overdo it and if you’re willing to accept feedback!
Hide - I’m ashamed and I don’t want to meet or talk to anyone right now!
Abscond - Depending on the magnitude, this could mean taking a vacation or moving to a new place or in some cases just going out.
Distract - Distract yourself from getting bogged down - the distraction could either be a positive distraction (hitting the gym or focusing on work) or a negative one (well, you know!!).
Compensate - Compensate the failure in one field with a success in another.
Observe - Observing your own failure means treating it like a third-person case-study, taking notes and then moving on.
Kaushik Rangadurai
Code. Learn. Explore