Mistakes and setbacks are an inevitable part of professional life. How can you embrace self-compassion in the face of these challenges? First, listen to your thoughts, and take note of when you become critical or harsh with yourself. Bringing attention to these negative thoughts in the moment will help you identify them for what they are—just thoughts—and create some distance from them. Next, acknowledge your feelings. When critical thoughts arise, they’re typically born from bigger, underlying emotions. Are you angry? Sad? Frustrated? Observe those emotions and give them names or labels. Then, request your own compassion. Ask yourself: “What would my most supportive friend say to me at this moment?” Visualizing this situation and treating yourself as a friend will help you gain the confidence to believe you deserve your own kindness. Finally, explore the best next steps. Once you’ve offered yourself some compassion, pause and ask: “What’s one step I can take to improve this situation and take some of the negativity away?” The best solutions are long-term and systemic, helping you recognize and avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
This tip is adapted from “What Does Self-Compassion Really Mean?,” by Stephanie Harrison
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