Life can surprise us with unforeseen events that we often don’t see coming our way. The loss of a loved one, a sudden heartbreak, a serious mishap, the onset of an illness, a professional setback or a global pandemic—life can throw quite a few curveballs at us. While some of these circumstances may have short-term effects, others can be a lot more painful to process over time. With the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, many of us are feeling lost, anxious and overwhelmed. Although the end may nowhere be in sight, we need to stay resilient, cope with the challenges that are accompanied by these uncertain times, and find ways to get back on track.
Facing setbacks can take a toll on your confidence, motivation and self-development. But if you choose to view them in a positive light, you can use that very setback as a stepping stone to get back on track. Getting back after a setback can be accomplished by adopting simple yet effective steps to help you emerge stronger than ever and stay resilient in the face of adversity.
Let’s take a closer look at how to push forward after facing a setback.
Acknowledge your situation
If your setback was caused by a failure, it is important to recognise and accept what didn’t work and use that knowledge to move on. The longer you dwell on something that has passed, the harder it becomes to get over it. Accept that the setback happened for a reason and it ended up teaching you a valuable lesson for the future. It is also important to stop being in denial about your mistake or make excuses for it. Instead, focus on the future and what you will change this time around, and how much better your approach will be. A setback can also help you gain a new perspective that could make the present much better than the past. Acknowledge it, and then put yourself out there!
Reaffirm your goals
While experiencing a setback is tough, it is also the ideal moment to assess if a goal still finds a place in your long-term vision. In fact, it is the perfect time to identify what is burdening you so that you can work towards turning an obstacle into an opportunity. Building a concrete strategy to reaffirm and realign your goals can motivate you to start the process of recovery and bring your focus back to where it should belong. Write your goals down and note the skills needed to achieve them. Realigning your goals with your purpose and passion encourages you to walk away from your setback and gets you going towards your goals. At this stage, it is useful to consider taking smaller and more calculated risks to regain a sense of control without risking everything.
Don’t shy away from seeking help
Often, the only thing holding you back from recovering from a major setback is the right kind of support. Reach out for mental and emotional support from people who are eager to help, whether they are friends, family or colleagues. Be in the company of people who can hear you out without prejudice. During difficult times, it is important to surround yourself, even if virtually, with people who comfort you, uplift you and give you the tools you need to refocus on your present and future. Research published in the journal Ecology and Society revealed that the more supportive your network of people, the more resilient you emerge. Also, watching or reading about how people have overcome similar obstacles can be a revealing experience, helping you get back on track.
It allows learning and moving forward.
It provides direction and motivation.
It boosts confidence and identifies areas for improvement.
It helps plan for the future and make progress.
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