Everyone always tells you that dealing with professional rejection and personal failure is part of the process, but that doesn't mean it doesn't get you down.
This week, I had an interview to be part of a research project and I was so delighted when I found out I was successful. It will be an amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to get started. The next day, I got an email saying that my application wasn't successful for a sustainability internship.
Even though I had such great news the previous day, this made me feel pretty low. I didn't even get to the interview stage! I think it just goes to show that you can't have everything, and maybe that's a good thing, because I definitely struggle with being decisive!
I'm sure students will relate to this when I say that I have been consistently getting 1:1s in all of my assignments for second year so far (not too toot my own horn, but I have been working extra hard this year), but for one of my assignments I got a 2:1. If that was me in first year, I'd be over the moon. But because I had built up this pathway of high achievement, I couldn't have been more disappointed in myself.
It sounds so stupid, but once you put pressure on yourself, anything that isn't the best isn't good enough. Don't get me wrong, stress and pressure is definitely handy when it comes to success, but we also shouldn't be so hard on ourselves.
I guess what I am trying to say is: if you do your best and you keep trying, that is good enough. Focus on the positives and go from there! (I will try and take my own advice too).
*I really want to make this blog as inclusive as possible, and I want to write about a wide range of struggles, issues - literally anything. I would really appreciate getting some feedback and suggestions via email, LinkedIn, or commenting! Also, please subscribe by scrolling to the bottom of this webpage. Thank you for reading :)*
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