How you deal with setbacks can be the difference between moving forward and getting the results you want or staying stuck in the doo doo.
I don’t mind sharing with you that I have experienced some real whoppers.
And boy have I learnt some important lessons from them. One of the most powerful lessons I have learnt is this:
We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we respond
So, with that in mind, here are three easy steps that work a treat when dealing with setbacks:
Step 1 – Learn the Lesson
When a setback happens, whether it be a whopper or just a tiddly little one, look for the lesson.
There is ALWAYS a lesson.
Look hard for the lesson instead of wallowing in the misery of the setback. Don’t fall into the trap of victim mentality. That serves no purpose at all. It will rob you of taking 100% responsibility of what has gone wrong.
Yes, I am suggesting you take 100% responsibility for the setback. Because it is only when we take 100% responsibility for everything going on in our work life and personal life that we can create effective change.
Ditch the quest for blame and assigning fault. That is a waste of time and energy. It doesn’t achieve anything and it certainly doesn’t move anything forward.
Step 2 – Apply the learning
So, you have learnt the lesson, right? Next you have to apply the learning.
Look at the lesson you have learnt and ask yourself:
What do I need to do to stop this sort of setback happening again?
APPLY IT.
Unless you apply the learning you are pretty much inviting that particular setback to happen again.
Hint: this means taking action folks. It’s not going to magically happen by just thinking about it.
Step 3 – Move on
Have you ever come across folk who are endlessly dwelling on a setback they have experienced, sometimes for years? Energy draining or what? They are just keeping themselves stuck.
Holding on to a setback keeps you stuck. Let it go. Move on.
Once it’s done you can’t change it. You can only:
Learn the lesson. Apply the learning. Move on.
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