Here's how you can preserve your confidence and resilience when faced with failure.

To preserve your confidence and resilience when faced with failure, reframe setbacks as learning opportunities and focus on growth. Acknowledge your emotions but don't dwell on them; instead, analyze what went wrong and identify actionable steps for improvement. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can offer perspective and encouragement. Maintain a positive mindset by celebrating small successes and remembering past achievements. Lastly, practice self-compassion and recognize that failure is a natural part of the journey toward success.

Preserve confidence and resilience when faced with failure by: Reflecting on lessons learned rather than dwelling on setbacks. Maintaining perspective and understanding that failure is a natural part of growth. Seeking support from mentors, colleagues, or friends for encouragement. Focusing on strengths and past successes to bolster self-belief. Setting realistic goals and celebrating progress, no matter how small. Embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.

While each of these steps undeniably contributes to your ability to maintain - or - reclaim your confidence - when experiencing a setback or struggle - and move forward in a resilient manner - I find this step to be particularly critical - as it requires for you to anchor your response to what makes you confident and resilient. This is where having actionable self-awareness comes into play - knowing what character strengths you have developed (through adversity) that empower you to positively adapt and move forward with confidence in the face of challenges. It also requires the ability to move forward with authenticity (this is where we tap into our deepest convictions - and where our confidence becomes unbreakable!).

Before moving forward, feel. Be with that discomfort, the myriad of the mixed emotions that so immaturely, not by intention but mostly automated, were initially dismissed, ignored or pressed due to an inability to process. It is these feelings that let us make sense of the loss, confusion, frustration, anger and sometimes relief after having gone through a process that didn’t ’go through’. As we become more aware of ‘setbacks’ or missed objectives, we connect more with ourselves, our gut, the people we go through them and a wonderful wisdom that comes with the clarity that may catapult us to a resurgence, pivot and sometimes a complete change of approach. Be mindful rather than obstinate, the steps of loss is one foot closer to a dance.

Looking back at my many small businesses that I have started(and stopped) from the outside it could look like a failure, but when you stop a business you were once excited about, what came from that experience is, you simply tried and realized it was not for you at this time or ever. However if you never tried at all, you would always wonder. Another point is, you do not get to decide when you will die, whether it's in a week or 60 years! You do not have the power to determine that your life is a failure due to one set back in the space In time that is your life, take a break, realize you are still breathing for a reason, be grateful for what you do have, family friends a roof over your head, and pivot into the next adventure of your life!