If you are on the path to success, you will inevitably face setbacks. There is no way around it. What you can do, however, is be prepared for these setbacks. By beginning with a solid foundation, then taking on an optimistic attitude and using healthy coping mechanisms and connecting with others, you can use your setback as encouragement to become even better, whether that be in your personal or professional life.
Build a strong foundation beforehand
Recovering from a misfortune begins before the situation even happens. Forbes explains that the more solid your footing, the harder it will be to knock you off your perch, and the easier it will be to recover and adjust. This means maintaining good physical health (getting plenty of sleep, healthful food and regular exercise). It also means that you need a support system – resources that you know will be there to help. Having a strong foundation will also help you keep obstacles in perspective.
Be an Optimist
Setbacks are hard. But you only make the setback harder by taking it on with a pessimistic attitude. Maybe you are not a natural optimist. That is ok. Make it a goal to be optimistic and work at your goal. By coupling your optimistic attitude with healthy coping mechanisms you will recover from your setback much quicker and more effectively.
Use Healthy Coping Mechanisms
While recovering from a setback in your life, whether personal or professional, it is imperative to use healthy coping mechanisms. What are healthy coping mechanisms? Healthy mechanisms involve Active coping, in which you use your resources to manage negative emotions and improve your situation requires more effort but will help you feel better in the long run.
Connect with Others
When you’re trying to push through a roadblock, solitude is your enemy. Connect with others around you, but not just anyone. Connect with people who are positive and solution oriented. This will only serve to help you recover from your setback.
Setbacks are hard for everyone. By acknowledging that they are a part of life, you are already off to the right start. From there you need to be optimistic, use healthy coping mechanisms and connect with other, like-minded people. By doing this, your setback will serve as a lesson you can learn from.