Learning, Life Skills, Parenting, Self-improvement

BUSTING 4 MYTHS ABOUT FAILING

Last year I wrote an article on failing; Failing to let them Fail. In it I discussed the importance of failure as a necessary part of learning and growth. I am now writing to implore parents, specifically, to LET THEM FAIL … and to trust that not only will your child survive this uncomfortable experience, they will actually grow and thrive from it; if you manage the experience appropriately.

The reason I feel compelled to write about this is due to an alarming number of disconcerting posts I’ve read, this week, on various social media platforms. It’s the end of the school year in South Africa and students and parents are receiving their year-end marks and reports. Some examples from the posts  that concern me are:

  • “The school phoned to tell me that they have failed my daughter!”
  • “I can’t believe that the Maths teacher failed my son!”
  • “The school called me in to drop a bombshell – they’re failing my child!”
  • “Such a shock to hear that the school has decided to fail my son this year!”

NO, THE SCHOOL DIDN’T FAIL YOUR CHILD – YOUR CHILD FAILED … and that’s ok.

Let’s bust a few myths which seem to be prevailing at this moment in time: Continue reading “BUSTING 4 MYTHS ABOUT FAILING”

Adult education, Life Skills, Life-long learning, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized

Glossophobia: fear of public speaking

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”  Jerry Seinfeld

Having always been one of the freakish minority who actually enjoy speaking in public, I have often wondered why people allow themselves to continue through life with this very real phobia, without doing something about it. I mean, we all have to do it at some point; may as well learn how to enjoy it, right? Continue reading “Glossophobia: fear of public speaking”