How do you handle professional setbacks?

I can provide some additional perspective on handling professional setbacks in my personal capacity, as a leader. It is indeed essential to acknowledge and process your emotions when facing a setback. Emotions are a natural response to disappointment or failure, and it's important to give yourself permission to experience and express them.

It’s tough to feel angry, sad, or ashamed, and we often try to avoid discomfort. But the relief that you get from avoidance is temporary. Eventually, those feelings will resurface. You have to feel to heal. Give yourself an opportunity to ride the waves of feeling, but give yourself permission to put down those feelings as well. I’ve found it to be helpful to set a timer each day for an hour to feel upset and disappointed when there’s a setback, and then I move on for the day. This way, I’m giving myself permission to feel, but I’m not derailing my mental state.

First, remember it is completely fine to be emotional. It is natural and we can also grow through these experiences too. When I face these situations, I find that exercising helps me to clear my mind.

One aspect to consider is that setbacks can sometimes lead to a sense of isolation or self-doubt. By reaching out to trusted individuals, such as mentors, colleagues, or friends, you can combat these feelings and gain fresh insights and perspectives.

This is where engaging with your mentors and personal board of advisors is so helpful. You must have individuals to go to that will listen and provide feedback and encouragement.

I used to feel unworthy and like a failure every time that I encountered a setback. I worried that I wasn’t good enough whenever I made a mistake. My emotional state was a rollercoaster that went up and down based on my performance. It was exhausting. Along the way, I had to do the inner work to learn to reframe these setbacks. I now know that setbacks are actually the setups for success. They’re simply data for how to improve and grow. Realizing this helped me to detach emotionally and take away the lesson so I can improve. It’s okay to feel frustrated, sad, and disappointed, but remember that you’re resilient and you’ll overcome this too.

Another effective strategy is to use positive affirmations. Engage in self-talk that reinforces your confidence and optimism. Repeat statements such as "I can do this," "I have the skills and resilience to overcome setbacks," or "I will bounce back stronger than before." Positive affirmations can help boost your self-esteem, maintain a positive outlook, and motivate you to persevere through challenges

Take this as an opportunity to: - Refresh your resume - Update your LinkedIn profile - Assess your online presence and personal brand - Reflect on what truly matters to you--in both your career and personal life. Remember that no matter what the situation is, things will always change. You are capable of whatever you set your mind to. Take the time you need and then get back out there with renewed energy!

When I quit my job, I wish I invested my time seeking mentorship and opened myself up for networking opportunities. I was still functioning with an employee mindset waiting and needing permission for someone to help me navigate the next steps. One of the most important thing I didn't realize at the time was to not make my job as my identity. Your identity outside of work, how you behave, engage, react, and respond needs to be congruent with who you naturally are. Most employers set expectations and role that doesn't fit an individual like a glove, so most people are constantly questioning or in conflict within themselves. One way to break out of that shell is to explore self-discovery and understand better self-awareness.

While setbacks can be challenging, they also present a valuable opportunity to connect with experienced professionals and build supportive relationships. Mentoring relationships can offer tremendous benefits during times of setback. A mentor can provide guidance, wisdom, and practical advice based on their own experiences, that can be extremely helpful.

It's incredibly empowering to connect with others who are navigating similar challenges such as layoffs. Sharing experiences and insights not only strengthens our mental resolve but also reminds us that we're not alone in this. This sense of community can be a catalyst for resilience, new ideas, and opportunities. Sometimes, just knowing that others are in the same boat can provide the comfort and motivation needed to forge ahead.

That's the best aproach to avoid maximum issues... keep learning. That can keep you positive, busy, and well prepared for life challenges.

If you are given feedback, listen to it. If you are not getting feedback, ask for it. You can learn so much from the whys and why nots and then you can model what you you need to change or improve upon. Mentoring is a powerful tool. Find someone you feel comfortable with and talk to them, ask them for advice, ask them to bring you in on projects they are working on, shadow them for a day or even a few hours. But you alone need to take that first step.

Handling setbacks, professional or personal, is an essential skill. Understand that setbacks are a part of life! When faced with setbacks, it is important to approach them with a positive mindset and a willingness to learn from the experience. Acknowledge and accept the setback and then take a step back to evaluate the situation objectively, seeking to understand the factors that led to the setback. Self-reflection can provide valuable insights and help identify areas for improvement. If you were part reason for the setback, be honest with yourself and change. "Challenges in life are inevitable, being defeated is optional" - Roger Crawford: Use setbacks as fuel to push forward. Draw inspiration from stories of victory after great setbacks!

Believe in yourself come what may. In the film” Chariots of Fire” Christian runner Eric Liddel asks and answers: “And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.” In dealing with all kinds of issues I have asked advice: friends professionals and the Internet Fora, but then I always listen to my inner voice. It hasn’t often let me down