Setbacks are inevitable in business. Deals fall through, employees let you down, clients don’t call back…it’s all part of the rich tapestry. Clearly, some setbacks can be more serious than others and it’s how we handle them that sets us apart. If things are going pear-shaped, here are a few things to consider…
- Things sometimes fail. It’s just a reality so don’t beat yourself up about it. Recognise the part you played in the failure and take the learning from it.
- Give yourself time to get over it. Depending on how big the setback is, it may take a few days to get over it. The mind has way of playing over events so let it run its course and with time, the impact fades.
- Take some time out. Get some fresh air, take a break from social media, contact a friend, go for a beer. Do whatever you need to do to take yourself away from the situation and you will see how quickly you can gain some perspective.
- Speak to those you trust. If something is really niggling you and you need to get it off your chest, then speak to those colleagues, mentors, associates etc that will give you honest feedback and be open with you.
- Understand what’s in your control. If a setback has happened and you know deep down it was your own fault, then identify what the issue was. Whether it was lack of knowledge, skills or you were just too hasty, get to grips with what it was and have a plan for how you would deal with it in the future.
- Don’t let it faze you. After a setback some people can be less likely to make decisions, take risks and make bold actions. As an entrepreneur you clearly can’t let this happen so by all means reflect on what’s happened but don’t let it hold you back.
To quote Elsa from Frozen, “Let it go, Let it go” Great advice administered from the Disney studios so don’t ignore it!