What to Do When You FAIL

I failed my exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist not once, but twice.

I failed my personal training exam again not once, but twice.

I didn’t get matched for a dietetic internship.

I didn’t make it past second round of interviews for Masters programs.

“Obviously what I was doing was not working…”

I could go on forever about the list of things I have FAILED at. In social media we only see the highlight reel. We don’t see all the failures and ‘no’s someone has encountered to get to where they are.

But let me tell you right now, failing SUCKS.

I will never forget when I failed my RD exam for the second time. After studying, working, and basically dedicating 5+ years of my life towards something for it to not come to fruition - you likely can imagine the same pit I felt in my stomach that day. I remember walking to my car and crying like a 12-year old girl, like UGLY, Kim Kardashian cry. I felt defeated, questioned my career path, and just the idea of having to study even more made me cry harder.

So what do you do when you fail? When you fall so hard, so short of your own goals? What do you do to pick yourself back up and not throw in the towel?

Remember your why.

1. Set a timer on your wallow. Is that even a word? For me, I gave myself permission to go home to my room, put my phone on airplane mode, and legit cry myself to sleep. I then googled ‘what to do when you fail your RD exam’ and found NOTHING, which is one of the reasons I wrote this blog. I then gave myself a solid 2 weeks off from studying. 2 weeks to not even think about studying or next steps, but to allow myself to fully decompress. I filled my extra time with longer workouts and self-care to help me feel like myself again.

2. Create a new game plan. Obviously, what I was doing was not working. I needed to take a different approach to my study. I downloaded a new app to help quiz myself, and made time for new practice tests. I needed to reach out for help from those who have been successful. I needed to check my ego at the door and lean on those who could help pull me out of this slump.

3. Lean in. You are a positive person, but in this moment, you have a pretty negative loop speaking in your head. Luckily, my BFF is a genius, and had already passed her exam, so she was able to be my cheerleader in this time. Who has already accomplished what it is you are trying to achieve? Swallow your pride, check your ego at the door, and freaking ask for help already! Oh you’re stubborn too? I thought it was just me ;) Ask those around you and be direct about the kind of support you need.

4. Rewrite the story in your head. You need to have a serious conversation with that little voice that says you ‘can’t’. I had to keep reminding myself, ‘this is my purpose, I was meant for this’ when my thoughts turned to doubt. I would literally write on sticky notes and post them around my house. I needed to see positive affirmations to keep me motivated on the days I felt overwhelmed.

Now I am able to look back and reflect on my experience to help others. I believe I work that much harder and am that much prouder of my role as a dietitian because of the work it took me to get here. It has taught me that nothing worth having comes easy, BUT if you work your tail off and are persistent, you can literally achieve anything and everything. If it is important to you, keep pushing, and find a way. Believe you were meant for more, and do not settle for anything less.

Click here to schedule a discovery call to see how we can work together through a private mentorship for your road to RD.

This piece of paper and credentials mean more to me than you’ll ever know! Share your road to RDN story below!!]