1 answer
Nevaeh
Student
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2
Questions
Updated
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How do I handle the fear of failure?
I am often scared to network, ask questions, making mistakes and over all putting myself out there due to the fear of failure or being rejected.
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1 answer
Gail Manley
I set strategy and support the Social Impact team
18
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Gail’s Answer
Hello! Let's chat about networking and asking questions. Asking questions is a powerful skill that often goes unnoticed. When you're networking or meeting new people, instead of talking about yourself, try asking them a question. If you're at an event, ask what they think about the speakers or the event itself. Inquire about their job and how they chose that path. People enjoy talking about themselves because it's a topic they know well. Being curious about others can help break the ice and show you care about them.
Once the conversation starts, you can slowly share a bit about yourself. Begin with simple things like where you study, your interests, or your family—whatever feels comfortable. If you're shy, start small. When you're out, try saying hello to a few people each day, like in a coffee shop line or an elevator. There's no need for a full conversation unless you want to.
Regarding mistakes, remember the saying, "Don't cry over spilled milk." What's done is done. It's more important to learn from mistakes than to avoid making them. Mistakes are part of learning. Think about when you learned to walk as a baby—you fell a lot but kept trying and learned each time. Mistakes are just choices, some better informed than others, but all are learning opportunities. No one is perfect, but you can handle challenges and grow from them. Embrace mistakes; they help you improve.
Once the conversation starts, you can slowly share a bit about yourself. Begin with simple things like where you study, your interests, or your family—whatever feels comfortable. If you're shy, start small. When you're out, try saying hello to a few people each day, like in a coffee shop line or an elevator. There's no need for a full conversation unless you want to.
Regarding mistakes, remember the saying, "Don't cry over spilled milk." What's done is done. It's more important to learn from mistakes than to avoid making them. Mistakes are part of learning. Think about when you learned to walk as a baby—you fell a lot but kept trying and learned each time. Mistakes are just choices, some better informed than others, but all are learning opportunities. No one is perfect, but you can handle challenges and grow from them. Embrace mistakes; they help you improve.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Nevaeh