On Growth and Negative Self-Talk

I  have read John Maxwell's book Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn: Life's Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses since I was turned down in a prospective job position I have prepared hard for the past few weeks. I have to admit that it hit me hard because I did my best and I really wanted this so much, but still I didn't get it. 

Naturally, I felt like sulking and I did for a few days. I kept analyzing what I did wrong or what I should have done better.I am a sore loser, which is the reason I seldom pick battles where I am not sure I will succeed. I was positive about getting this job and I was already in the last stages of the recruitment process, but it was not meant for me. 

It was emotionally draining and I was starting to regret my decisions. But then I remembered why I took the risk in the first place, I wanted growth. 

Maxwell was right with this, nothing will happen if I continue blaming myself for things I have no control over. It's arrogance to say that everything will be going according to plan, the world doesn't work that way. Sometimes things do not go our way and what we can only do is to adapt with what comes our way.

When I look at it now, I have nothing to regret even if I didn't get what I want. The time off from work gave me time for myself to relax and pursue my passion projects. I've put up this site along with my listing site and have read materials on SEO, writing and business which is amazing.

Importantly, I've learned so much in the past few weeks already. I have grown arrogant that I can do everything and the world will hand over to me what I want. I am so hard with myself and overlook the things I am capable. This is clear with the way I take compliments and my friends would attest to that. I will often say its just luck but I prepare hard. Like in school, I would often read beyond the reference materials our teachers would assign. I go out of my way in preparing for exams by writing reviewers and quick guides (which I did in the recent board examinations I took). So it was not luck, it was smart hard work and I will continue to use that attitude.

Cliche as it may sound, but look at the bright side of things because antagonizing oneself after every so-called failure would only make you sink even more and commit more failures.

PS. You can get a copy of John Maxwell's book "Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn: Life's Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses" in paperback and hardcover editions at Amazon .com (an affiliate link) plus, Maxwell has come up with a Teens edition for the book available on Amazon.