How to Overcome a Set Back
It is inevitable in life to have everything go right. I wish that it did but we all know at some point something will go wrong. It is not what happens but how we react to it that makes the difference in how we move forward.
In my life, I have had plenty of setbacks, from medical problems to business deals falling through to friends stabbing me in the back. Each one of those things brought on a host of emotions and challenges for what to do to move forward. And over the years I have learned a few things to do that helped me move past the hurt and frustration on to the next great adventure. Some of these things I learned from doing the wrong way and if I could go back I would take this advice.
FEEL YOUR FEELINGS
I believe it is important to feel your feelings. Happiness, sadness, disappointment, frustration. We need to feel them. I spent a lot of years just pretending to not have feelings on the outside, but at home, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I didn’t think I could tell anyone I was struggling or that I was disappointed with the outcome. I always had to be happy and positive through everything. Why though? Couldn’t tell you honestly but I thought that was the best way, to ignore and move on. It kept me holding on to past hurts because I had to not felt the emotion and wasn’t able to let go.
Set a time limit to feel.
Don’t stay in the feelings forever but give yourself a time limit. Some things need more time than others. A day, a week, a month, even just a couple of hours. Set a time to feel and then move on.
SELF-CARE
This is the step we miss a lot! After you have felt some feelings self-care is vital. Spa day, long walk, shopping, or even a shower. What you do for self-care is up to you. Do the thing that makes you feel joy and relaxed. It should only be for you not for anyone else. This step is the one that helps me out of my feelings. I was given the advice once that if I felt stuck then MOVE. It seems simple but I even had to go take a walk while writing this because I had stared at the screen for too long. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. If you don’t know what to do just do anything. Just start moving.
MAKE A PLAN
Sometimes things fell apart and don’t work out as you like and that sucks!!! BUT let's make a plan to move forward. Sometimes the plan is just to keep pushing forward because the setback didn’t take away from the goal. And sometimes we need to regroup and move in a completely different direction. Write out the pros and cons for the long and short term and write down a plan for your new goal. Don’t stay here, move forward to your next great thing!
I haven’t always done these steps perfectly and I still always don’t but these are the steps I go back to when I don’t know what to do. Life is full of unexpected but wonderful things. I hope these steps help you or give you your own ideas for overcoming setbacks.
Click the HERE for books that have helped me learn more about myself and have helped me overcome setbacks. Listed under the mind and body tap.