Breaking Into Success by Planning for Setbacks
11 April 2023
It can be very difficult to recover from setbacks, but getting back up after unforeseen disasters is one of the most important aspects of succeeding. No plan is completely foolproof, and there are almost always going to be times when you are tempted to give up or you feel convinced that you are never going to be able to recover from the challenge that has befallen your plan. But goals are made to be accomplished, and you have to master the art of getting back on your feet. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and learn the art of succeeding by beginning to plan for setbacks along the way. By following these steps below, you have a good chance of getting yourself moving and leaping over the setbacks.
Forgive Yourself
It's important to be kind to yourself when you experience a setback. Don't beat yourself up or dwell on the mistake. Instead, recognize that it's a normal part of the process and move on.
Accept setbacks as a normal part of life.
Prepare for setbacks by looking several steps ahead.
Assume something may go wrong at some point so you are not thrown off challenges.
Plan ahead for a worst-case scenario.
Take a Break
Sometimes a setback happens just because you’re overworking yourself. Often you can put things right by going for a walk, speaking to someone, or working on something else and coming back to the issue with a clear mind.
Take a moment to journal about your experiences. Write about how the experience has affected you.
Speak to other people who have faced similar setbacks about what you have gone through personally and see if you can get a new perspective.
Planning for frequent breaks will help you minimize the number of setbacks you experience.
Evaluate What Happened
Take some time to reflect on what led to the setback. For example, did you have a particularly stressful day that made it harder to stick to your habits? Did you get caught up in a social situation that made it difficult to resist temptation? Understanding the root cause and triggers surrounding the setback will help you develop strategies to prevent it from happening again.
Try to think at least three to five steps ahead of where you are heading with your plan.
Remain flexible, plans do change in the face of a setback. But the end goal remains the same.
Set Specific and Achievable Goals
Clear goals keep you focused and motivated as you overcome setbacks. Be sure to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART for short).
Have a good morning routine.
Set time aside daily to work on your goals.
Nourish your body with healthy foods.
Prepare your daily, weekly and monthly calendar for success. Create a timeline for your project.
Be Flexible and Adaptable
Setbacks are a normal part of life. It’s vitally important to be flexible and adaptable in the face of them. If something isn't working, be willing to adjust your plan and try something new.
Interrupt negative thoughts with a positive thought.
View every mistake or setback as an opportunity to learn.
Anticipate setbacks as a typical part of life.
Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Stress majorly contributes to setbacks, so it's imperative to find healthy ways to manage it. Choose healthy options that are proven to work, like exercise, meditation, or talking to a therapist.
Overcome fear of mistakes by accepting them.
Think more positively by building your confidence levels.
Become aware of your personal bias towards any new coping techniques that you may try out, such as meditation.
Use mantras and affirmations as a coping mechanism. These will eradicate negativity.
Exercise, as it will allow your body to create the ‘feel good’ chemicals needed in your brain in order for your day to get you moving and you are in a more positive frame of mind.
Restart
Don't let a setback discourage or derail your progress entirely. Instead, use it as an opportunity to start fresh. Set a new goal and make a plan to achieve it. Don't worry about how long it will take – just focus on taking small steps in the right direction.
Ask yourself what is holding you back.
Define any issues you are facing at that moment.
Face your fears head on.
Seek Support
It is helpful to have someone to talk to when trying to break a bad habit. A friend or family member who is supportive and understanding can encourage and help you stay motivated. You can also consider joining a group who focus on your area of work/business or start working with a coach or therapist to help you overcome your challenges.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Cut out toxic people.
Seek out achievers.
Adopt a mentor.
Seek out people who will support you and lift you up in the face of succeeding in your dreams.
Stay Positive
Getting discouraged during a setback is common, but staying positive and focusing on your progress is important. Remember that change takes time, and it's okay to have setbacks along the way.
Take accountability for your actions.
View every choice as a new opportunity to pave a new path.
Allow yourself to feel the excitement of the potential for your future.
Believe in yourself and your goals.
Have faith in the planning process.
Planning for setbacks is an important part of breaking bad habits. You can overcome setbacks and progress towards your goals by forgiving yourself, evaluating what happened, restarting, and seeking support. So don't get discouraged – keep moving forward, and you’ll live a better life through positive habits sooner than you think. Living life through positive habits is the best counteractive action you can take towards combating setbacks or the negative effect of experiencing a setback along the way in your journey to success and personal happiness.
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