Don't give up!

     Are you the type of person who allows failure and rejection to shape your attitude and cause you to then give up or limit your goals accordingly? If so, join the club! Most of us struggle with moving ahead after facing disappointment or failure to reach a goal.  Remember this though, you cannot get ahead with any goals you set – whether they are personal and health related or career and professional related without taking an element of risk.  What is the difference then between those who fail and give up and those who are successful?  First and foremost, accept that failure is sometimes inevitable; have faith in yourself that you can achieve your goal and if you fail view the failure as another stepping stone to your success! 

     Think about your own life experiences and take some time to contemplate and reflect on your vulnerability to rejection and failure.  Make a list of the times you failed in achieving a personal goal.  Make another list of the times you failed in achieving a professional goal.  And make a final list of times you faced rejection. Are there common themes?  Do you know why you failed? Did you reflect on the experience and learn from it or did you turn away from your goal out of fear of more rejection?  Use your reflections to build a foundation for your next steps to reach your goal.  Know that getting ahead, reaching a goal and experiencing success can be fraught with failure and rejection and in spite of the difficulty, believe in yourself, your purpose, your goals and your eventual success in reaching them. As Gail Sheehy remarked: “To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist!” 

Take a Risk! Jumpstart your goals for 2011!

     Are you one of many people who allow failure and rejection to shape your attitude and you then give up or limit your goals accordingly?  Establishing a goal is in essence, taking a risk, therefore setting yourself up for possible failure!  You cannot get ahead with any goals you set – whether they are personal and health related or career and professional related without taking an element of risk.  What is the difference then between those who continually fail and then finally give up and those who are successful?  You must accept that failure is sometimes inevitable; you must have faith in yourself  that you can achieve your goal and you must view the failure as another stepping stone to your success. 

     Think about your own life experiences and take some time to contemplate and reflect on your vulnerability to rejection and failure.  Make a list of the times you failed in achieving a personal goal.  Make another list of the times you failed in achieving a professional goal.  And make a final list of times you faced rejection. Are there common themes?  Do you know why you failed? Did you reflect on the experience or feedback and learn from it or did you turn away from your goal out of fear of more rejection?  Use your reflections to build a foundation for your next steps to reach your goal.  Know that getting ahead, reaching a goal and experiencing success can be fraught with failure and rejection and in spite of the difficulty, you must believe in yourself, your purpose, your goals and your eventual success in reaching them. As Gail Sheehy remarked:   “To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist!” 

How Self-Efficacy can help

When a person is challenged with trying to adhere to a weight loss program, wellness program or a diabetes management regimen, researchers have identified factors called individual differences that may contribute to success. One of these individual differences factors  is self-efficacy.

Researchers have found that a high sense of  self-efficacy has been shown to be related to better self management, and better outcomes for many individuals.   Even if other psychosocial supports are not all favorable, a strong sense of self-efficacy can offset these difficulties.

The concept of self-efficacy was proposed by Bandura (1977) and was developed within the framework of social learning theory.  The self-efficacy model identifies the individual’s perception of his or her ability to carry out a given behavior or group of behaviors.  This perception or sense of self efficacy has an effect on the person’s emotions, cognitions, and motivation in difficult or threatening situations such as facing life-long self management of diabetes.   In other words, if a person faced with the demands of self-management believes that she can be successful, her mood, her thoughts and her motivation to continue to try will be enhanced.    This most often results in better self-management and better results!