Setbacks are a part of life.
Look at any successful person and they’ll tell you a whole host of setbacks they had to overcome to get to where they are today.
Look at Tom Brady for example. He’s believed by many to be the best quarterback in NFL history. But things weren’t always so great for him. Back in college, he struggled to maintain the position of starting quarterback at the University of Michigan. He was also one of the last players drafted in the NFL draft. Things looked bleak.
But instead of letting these setbacks stop him, he used them as fuel. He worked his way onto the New England Patriots roster, and when he got his opportunity, he made the most out of it. The rest is history.
The lesson is that success in not linear, and that failure is not fatal. With the right attitude and approach, setbacks will be only small detours on your path to eventual success.
Today, we’ll give you some of Faxburner’s top tips to overcome major setbacks…
Take Accountability
In the midst of a setback, it’s easy to blame outside circumstances. But those circumstances are out of your control.
Instead, it’s more powerful to take accountability for where you currently stand. Consider what you can do better in the future, and take responsibility for turning things around.
This accountability will help you avoid falling into self pity, and also help you recognize what you can improve on.
Accept Failing as a Part of Life
There is no shame in failure.
Many people equate failure with inadequacy… though that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Everyone fails. Everyone will continue to. It’s how we react to failure that matters.
Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo.
– Jon Sinclair
Practice Mindfulness and Stay Present.
Setbacks can cause your thoughts to scramble and your brain to run a million miles a minute. This causes anxiety and doesn’t help you take any steps forward.
That’s where practicing mindfulness through meditation comes in. It’s a great way to stay calm, stay present, and remain focused on solutions versus dwelling on problems.
Start meditating for 10-20 minutes every day – at a time that works for you. Smartphone apps like Headspace are a simple and effective way to routinize the practice.
As you build the meditation habit, you’ll reduce your anxiety, clear your head, and mentally prepare yourself to put the past behind you and move forward.
Surround Yourself With Good People
There are people who will pick you up when you’re down, and others who will drag you even further into the mud.
Aim to surround yourself with good people. People who are striving to become their best selves, improve in business, learn, etc., and who also have your best interests at heart.
If you don’t have any of these kinds of people in your life right now, then get out there and meet some! Attend networking events, go to relevant Meetup groups, and start more conversations.
Take Massive Action
When things don’t go well, many people have a “deer in the headlights” approach. They see the bad things coming, but are paralyzed by fear and so they do nothing about it.
They see their savings dwindling, their business starting to fall, etc., and they just kind of let it happen.
The fastest way out of this paralysis is to get busy! Get invested in something you are passionate about and believe in. It will help to put things in perspective and give you something to be positive about.
Wrapping Up How to Overcome a Major Setback in Life…
Setbacks are a part of life. Rather than viewing them as a portal to a downward spiral, try to see them as a learning experience and as a pivot point to something different. Use them as fuel and keep persisting.
How have you overcome some of your biggest setbacks? Let us know in the comments below!
