Managing Setbacks and How To Bounce Back
Setbacks happen in all walks of life, whatever your job or personal experiences, and what I've learned so far is that the most important thing is how we respond and react to the many problems that can arise in our day to day lives. I like to think I'm quite good in a crisis and I thought today I'd share some advice for managing setbacks and how to bounce back whatever comes your way...
Always be prepared Ever heard the phrase, expect problems and eat them for breakfast? Well it's something I tend to live by, as problems will always, always, come our way as there are so many things in life that are out of our control. Always being prepared doesn't mean you're expecting to fail, it just means you're staying flexible at all times to things not exactly going to plan. Be kind to yourself when things don't go as hoped - placing blame never helps - and instead just know that setbacks will happen and the most important thing is staying strong in the face of them.
See solutions not problems When you're faced with a setback, it's super easy to just feel overwhelmed and like there's no way to move forward successfully. The best thing to do is to focus on the solutions instead of the problems, and be okay with adjusting your plans or process to then be able to move forward. When it's a career related setback, the best thing I've found is to know that there is never an end point - we're always growing, developing, and moving forward in our work and when one thing doesn't work out just allow that to push you into your next adventure. And if a job is proving harder than you first thought? Sometimes that just means you have to show some grit, problem solve, and keep going until you figure things out.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help It's okay to be scared, and lost, and not know everything - that's what other people are there for. Being resilient doesn't mean we have to do things alone, and asking for help is sometimes the wisest thing we can do. When it's a work related setback reaching out to co-workers to help brainstorm next steps to take, or close friends just to help you gather your thoughts, can make all the difference. In life when we find ourselves with personal setbacks, reaching out to others to ask for their guidance and support helps us move forward and see things from a different perspective.
Stay positive Whatever setbacks come our way, whether personal or professional, the most important thing is that we don't let them get the better of us. Staying positive in the face of challenges allows us to move forward, make good decisions, and enjoy the journey as well. So don't allow yourself to obsess over the setback and feeling like a failure, and instead take the opportunity to do something even better - I shared some ways to stay positive here. See setbacks as part of the journey, let them teach you and learn from them, but then just keep on moving forward.
How do you bounce back from setbacks and disappointments?
Jen
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