Navigating Setbacks and Embracing Resilience

In the pursuit for success, setbacks are inevitable and often shape our character. While I have recently shared some achievements that garnered warm congratulations, I wanted to highlight that my path in Dubai has been far from a straight line. It has been marked by early redundancy, the loss of a home in a fire, and the heartache of losing close family members.

During the past decade, there were moments when I felt the weight of setbacks, times when I was not the source of inspiration you see today. Facing multiple challenges consecutively can be overwhelming, leading to doubts about pursuing one's purpose, dreams or goals.

"Winners never quit and quitters never win." Vince Lombardi

Here's my approach to bouncing back from setbacks:

• Acknowledge Your Feelings and Seek Support - Emotions are an integral part of setbacks. Acknowledge your feelings and find someone trustworthy to talk to. Sharing your struggles can provide a sense of relief and often brings valuable perspectives.
• Embrace the Unpredictability of Life - Life rarely follows a script. Accept that plans may not always unfold as expected. Develop the ability to pivot, and have alternative strategies ready. Adaptability is a powerful tool in overcoming unexpected challenges.
• Connect with Nature - Being active and spending time outdoors can have a profound impact on your well-being. Personally, I find solace in witnessing the beauty of sunrise and sunset. Find what brings you peace in nature and make it a part of your routine.
• Infuse Positivity into Your Daily Routine - Create a daily dose of Vitamin 'Positivity.' Whether it is a curated music playlist, engaging podcasts or following uplifting social media pages, surround yourself with positivity. Consider also reading books that inspire and motivate you.
• Set Rewards for Yourself - Give yourself something to look forward to as a reward for overcoming setbacks. It could be a personal achievement award, a small treat or an experience that brings joy. Creating positive anticipation can be a powerful motivator.
• Remind Yourself of Achievements and Practice Gratitude - Reflect on all you've achieved so far. Take time to appreciate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Practicing gratitude can shift your perspective and reinforce a positive mindset, making it easier to navigate challenges.

Each setback is a stepping stone towards greater resilience, and your journey holds untapped potential for growth and success.

Keep rising strong as the best is yet to come!

About the Author

Nathan John is a Corporate Banker and an award winning Social Entrepreneur from London, now based in Dubai.

Over his 20 years in banking, Nathan has developed expertise in Transaction Banking, Financial Institutions, solution delivery and developing relationships, having?worked for Barclays, J.P. Morgan, RBS, Ernst & Young and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

In March 2007, he founded Youth Enlightenment Limited (Y-E-L), which is a social enterprise committed to providing inspiration and empowerment to young people.?

Nathan?served as an Advisor to the Stephen Lawrence Review, chaired by Dr Richard Stone and was?a Community Cohesion Advisor to the former Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock.?He also contributed to the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's 'Time for Action' youth strategy and was a?member of the NPIA's Stop & Search Panel.

He has spoken virtually in addition to various places in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and Paris.?Such as the Mayor’s Office, Barclays HQ, Oxford Brookes University, colleges, schools and a prison.?Nathan has also been interviewed over 150 times on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News, LBC, The Guardian plus more.?He now hosts his own TV talk show called On.Point.

Nathan has met Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contributions and won a Barclays Citizenship award.

His leadership, drive, strategic and communication skills have allowed him to be successful both in the UK and UAE.