 |
|
|
|||||
We set out to push ourselves, improve, and grow. But when things get tough or dont go to plan? Its all too easy to pull the plug. Research from Headwaythe leading book summary appshows that 11% of people have already abandoned their 2025 goals, and 33% are close to giving up. For many, the fear of failing that stands in the way of self-improvement. In my work as a productivity coach, Ive come to see why. Were hardwired to link failure with finality, which fuels self-doubt and causes motivation to fizzle out. Yet, failure is just another stepping stone on the path to success. So if you hit a bump, dont take it as a sign to give up; take it as an opportunity to learn, adjust, and go again. 1. Challenge yourself If youre succeeding 100% of the time, youre not pushing yourself. As a productivity coach, it’s something I see clients do regularly, but I constantly remind them that you dont grow by playing it safeyou grow by stretching, stumbling, and staying with it. That means taking on challenges that stretch you to your limits, and sometimes beyond them. Sure, you wont always hit the mark, but each miss offers valuable insight into what works, what doesnt, and where you need to improve. In fact, studies show that failing 15% of the time is optimal for learning. Enroll in a class you know youll struggle with, ask for constructive criticism, and put yourself in situations that make you feel a little uneasy. This is where the magic starts. When I work with high-achieving women, we often create a discomfort challengeone small stretch per week. Why? Because the goal isnt to master everything overnight, but to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. Over time, these lessons make you more confident and capable. With each failure, your limit increases and you take a step toward achieving your full potential. 2. Dont give up after a single failure Its natural to feel discouraged when things dont go to plan, but one setback doesnt put success out of reach. Every failure gives you a clearer sense of what works and what doesnt, making you better prepared for your next attempt. Bill Gatess first venture, Traf-O-Data, failed. And Steve Jobs isnt remembered for the Apple Lisaa costly flopbut as the creator of the revolutionary iPhone. Failure doesnt mean its over; it means youre in it. As I often remind my clients, Its not failing that stops youIts quitting too soon. Stick with the hard part. Its usually the bridge to your breakthrough. And when you finally succeed? Well, it tastes even sweeter when youve fought for it, gained the battle scars, and refused to let failure define you. 3. Dont start from scratch So often, my clients want to wipe the slate clean after a tough outcome. But hitting reset is rarely the answer. Instead, run a postmortem: Where exactly did it go wrong? Comb through the experience, note what worked, and use that as a launching pad. Often, you will find that the problem is small and easier to overcome than you initially thought. At the very least, there will be positiveswhether lessons, strategies, or resourcesthat you can reuse in your next attempt. Theres always treasure among the rubble if you take the time to look. Take Traf-O-Data, for example. The company didnt survive, but it gave Gates and Allen invaluable practice in writing software, building hardware, and pitching to customers. Those lessons directly shaped their approach to the Altair 8800 projectthe launchpad that eventually became Microsoft. Picking yourself up and trying again is never easy, but having an existing foundation in place makes it far easier to motivate yourself. 4. Keep a failure file Failure is only a negative if you learn nothing from it, so document every flop and failure, and note exactly what each one taught you and where it went wrong. This doesnt serve as a list of your losses, but as a blueprint for making progress. Youre essentially turning your setbacks into a data source, and you will quickly begin to see patterns emerging. Do you typically lose motivation midway through a project? Do you frequently fail to plan and inevitably run into problems you didnt foresee? Or do you lack a skill thats constantly preventing you from moving forward? With this insight, you can not only correct individual mistakes but also question the underlying assumptions, habits, and behaviors that consistently hold you backa concept known as double-loop learning, which is linked to sharper thinking, superior decision-making, and innovative problem-solving. I also encourage every client to keep a lessons learned docnot to track tasks but transformation, and not to dwell on mistakes but to honor growth. It serves as a powerful reminder of how far youve come and how many times youve already gotten up, brushed off, and overcome a challenge.
Category:
E-Commerce
It may be a cliché, but coming up with gift ideas for the men in your life can be a challenge. Whatever the occasion, or simply just because, a bunch of flowers is always a safe bet when giving gifts to the women in your life. It then begs the question: What is the male equivalent? A quick search throws up a few obvious, if gender stereotypical, suggestions: a case of beer, for example, and a good sandwich. But recently, a rather unexpected answer has been circulating on social media, receiving the mens stamp of approval in the comments: banana bread. The idea is supposedly traced back to a single comment on a TikTok post posing the age-old question that has confounded romantic partners for decades. @tre0ntiktok Classic classical gymnopedie solo piano(1034554) – Lyrebirds music But in a case of groupthink, or because men really do love banana bread, the men in the comments unanimously agreed: Banana bread is mens flowers. @lacklustervideo If you bring me banana bread, you better mean it for LIFE #bananabread #flowers #truelove #menaresimple #men Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design The news soon made its way to other social media platforms. Recently learned the male equivalent of buying women flowers is making men banana bread. Huge discovery for women everywhere, one user posted on X. Banana bread is their Pumpkin Spice Latte, another user replied. Recently learned the male equivalent of buying women flowers is making men banana bread. Huge discovery for women everywhere— Alex Friedman (@heyalexfriedman) August 24, 2025 It has since started a trend of creators baking banana bread for their partners, sparking a fresh wave of banana bread recipe videos, the likes of which havent been seen since the banana bread boom of 2020. @imhannahcarr If making banana bread for a man is the equivalent of them giving us flowers then I say make the banana bread, ladies. MAKE THE BANANA BREAD . & if youre anything like me youll be EXTRA EXTRA & make PUMPKIN BROWNED BUTTER BANANA BREAD heres the recipe. Ultimate Browned Butter Pumpkin Banana Bread (Refined sugar free & DELICIOUS) Ingredients 2 very ripe bananas (mashed, ~1 cup) 1 cup pumpkin purée 2 eggs (room temp) cup browned butter (see step below) cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey) 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda tsp baking powder tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon tsp pumpkin pie spice Optional mix-ins: cup chopped toasted pecans/walnuts OR cup dark chocolate chips Browned Butter Step 1. In a small saucepan, melt cup butter over medium heat. 2. Stir constantly as it foams turns golden speckled with brown flecks. Smells nutty & caramel-y. 3. Pour into a heat-safe bowl to stop cooking; cool slightly before using. Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a loaf pan with coconut oil or butter. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together: mashed bananas, pumpkin, eggs, cooled browned butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. 3. In another bowl, whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. 4. Gently fold dry into wet until just combined (do not overmix). 5. Fold in any mix-ins. 6. Pour batter into pan. & top with chocolate or nuts (optional). 7. Bake 5565 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean (some melted chocolate = perfect). 8. Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing for clean cuts; even better if left overnight to deepen flavor. Storage: 1. Room Temp (for 23 days) Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or store in an airtight container. Keeps it soft, moist, and flavorful. Tip: Keep it out of direct sunlight or heat. 2. Fridge (up to 1 week) Wrap tightly or store in an airtight container. Will stay moist but may firm up slightly. Reheat slices for 1015 sec in the microwave to get that fresh-baked feel. 3. Freezer (up to 3 months) Slice loaf first for easy grab-and-go. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then foil (double protection) or put in a freezer bag. Thaw slices at room temp or reheat 2030 sec in microwave. #bananabread #bananabreadrecipe #pumpkinbread #fallbaking #fallrecipes Fall October Halloween horror classic(177261) – rareNote It makes sense; after all, who doesnt love banana bread? Baking a loaf checks the box of acts of service from the five love languages, with the thoughtful effort and warm comfort of home baking a foolproof way to show someone you care. Some say that is exactly what baking banana bread means. Others, however, claim it is not the equivalent of buying a bunch of flowers. Making banana bread can literally take hours, one TikTok creator explained. Buying flowers takes no effort or thought. https://www.tiktok.com/@bc_2024/video/7542947607157558541?q=banana%20bread%20flowers%20for%20men&t=1756305946567 If you dont feel like baking, don’t fret. Contrary to popular belief, the viral discussion has many men revealing that they do, in fact, enjoy receiving flowers. According to one widely referenced statistic, 88% of men have never been given flowers. And of those who do, they will not receive them until their funeral. Next time, just get your man some flowers.
Category:
E-Commerce
As travelers pack for vacation, they tend to focus on the essentials: itineraries, clothes, and ideally, having fun. But there’s a critical safety consideration that rarely makes it onto any traveler’s checklist: carbon monoxide exposure. Recent, high-profile incidents highlight a troubling reality: Carbon monoxide (CO) incidents are on the rise. Firefighters responded to at least 4,000 carbon monoxide emergencies at hotels, motels, and resorts between 1999 and 2020. During this time these incidents have claimed at least two dozen lives and injured over 1,000 people. Despite these headlines, this “silent killer” remains largely absent from most travelers’ safety plans. UNDERSTAND THE INVISIBLE THREAT Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels don’t burn completely due to poor ventilation or malfunctioning appliances. In hotel and rental property settings, common sources include faulty furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and even nearby pool heaters or mechanical equipment. Carbon monoxide is almost impossible to identify without equipment because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. What makes CO particularly dangerous for travelers is that symptoms can be mistaken for travel fatigue, jet lag, or altitude sickness. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are often dismissed as normal travel discomfort rather than signs of a serious safety threat. THE REGULATORY GAP THAT PUTS TRAVELERS AT RISK Currently, only 14 states require carbon monoxide detectors in hotel rooms, and there’s no federal mandate requiring hotels to install CO alarms in every guest room. This regulatory patchwork leaves all travelers potentially vulnerable to a preventable risk. And thats just in the U.S.; if your travel plans take you outside the country, CO regulation is likely to be even more lax. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 100,000 emergency room visits, 14,000 hospitalizations, and more than 400 deaths annually in the United States. The annual number of carbon monoxide poisonings in the U.S. is likely significantly higher than estimated due to the imperceptible nature of carbon monoxide, the variety of CO poisoning symptoms which often mimic other conditions like flu or food poisoning, and a lack of robust diagnostic tools. Unlike smoke alarm regulations, which are more consistently implemented and enforced across the hospitality industry, carbon monoxide detection remains hit or miss at best, resulting in a safety gap that many travelers don’t even realize exists. BUILD A CULTURE OF TRAVEL SAFETY AWARENESS The solution requires both systemic changes and individual preparedness. Never assume personal safety. While industry advocates continue pushing for stronger regulations across all states, travelers can, and should, take proactive steps to protect themselves. Savvy travelers are beginning to incorporate safety considerations into their accommodation selection process. This includes researching properties’ safety protocols, asking about detector placement, and understanding emergency procedures. Some are even adding CO alarms to their packing list as standard travel equipment. The hospitality industry must take the lead on implementing comprehensive safety measures. Forward-thinking hotel chains should consider voluntarily installing CO detectors even in states where they’re not required, understanding that guest safety is both a moral imperative and a potential business necessity or differentiator. PRACTICAL STEPS FOR ALL TRAVELERS Creating a safer travel experience doesn’t require major changes to existing routines but can go a long way towards having more peace of mind on vacation. Pre-travel preparation: Before leaving, test your home safety devices to ensure they are working to reduce the risk of CO build up while youre gone. Research safety protocols for your accommodations. Consider the location of your accommodations in relation to potential CO sources like parking garages, mechanical rooms, or pool areas. Bring battery-operated CO alarms. Pack them carefully to avoid damaging the device. Remove batteries prior to travel and reinsert them upon arrival. Test the device before use to ensure proper operation. Most alarms are meant for use in conditioned spaces only, not RVs or boats, unless specified, so check the product manual for more information. Upon arrival: Locate emergency exits, identify safety devices in your room, and understand the property’s emergency procedures. If something feels wrongpersistent headaches, unusual fatigue, or nauseadon’t ignore these potential warning signs. Families traveling with children or elderly relatives should be especially vigilant, as these groups are more vulnerable to CO exposure. When booking accommodations, ask specifically about safety protocols and detector placement. THE CASE FOR BETTER SAFETY STANDARDS Investing in comprehensive travel safety makes sense for everyone involved. Travelersespecially familieswant peace of mind during their trips, whether for business or leisure. Knowing the accommodations meet high safety standards is a significant step in the right direction. The hospitality industry also benefits from proactive safety measures. Properties that go above and beyond minimum requirements differentiate themselves in a competitive market and build trust with guests who increasingly value safety alongside comfort and convenience. Looking ahead, the integration of smart technology into travel safetysimilar to what we’ve seen in residential applicationsoffers promising possibilities for real-time monitoring and faster emergency response. The goal isn’t to scare travelers, but to make travel genuinely safer through awareness, preparation, and advocacy. When travelers and hosts prioritize comprehensive safety, they help drive industry-wide improvements that benefit everyone. Isis Wu is president of Residential Fire & Safety at Kidde.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||