Want to know the best strategies for conquering challenges? Interested in learning how you can turn failure into fortune and snags into success?
If so, you’re in the right place.
I think we can agree, failing sucks. It’s never fun falling flat on your face. However, despite the inherent negativity associated with them, setbacks do offer a unique opportunity.
They are a chance to learn, grow, and adjust.
And if you handle them right, they can be a great springboard for you to bounce back on. In this article, we’ll explore 3 simple steps you can take to make the most out of your setbacks.
1. Take Responsibility
Everything that happens to you is your fault. It always has been and it always will be — adopt this mindset and make it your mantra.
Repeat after me: I will never shirk responsibility.
As soon as you point the finger at someone or something else, you immediately forfeit your
power to rectify the situation. Bad move.
Instead, take ownership. Realize that that is the best way to move forward productively. It will sting, it will bruise your ego, and it will make you uncomfortable — but overcoming obstacles requires you to face these unpleasant emotions.
But by taking full responsibility, you — by default — also take control of the situation, and become a proactive agent in surmounting the difficulty.
And proactivity is the key trait that’s needed to solve problems. Here are a few more benefits of taking responsibility in your life, you’ll:
- Stop relying so much on others
- Gain more confidence in yourself and in your abilities
- Stop complaining
- Become a problem solver
- Become an action-oriented person
- Be more optimistic (even during difficult times) In other words, you’ll become a more self-reliant individual. And that’s exactly what the world is in desperate need of right now; more sovereign, free-thinking people.
2. Control the Controllables
Last year, my old blog was shut down.
I had worked on that site for over two years, invested countless hours into it writing every day, and posted over 130 articles on it.
This is the blog that essentially started my writing career: it bolstered my skills, helped me land my first freelancing gig, and essentially, built the foundation for me to live my passion and become a full-time writer.
I’ll spare you the details.
But long story short, there was payment confusion on my end which resulted in the discontinuation of my blog.
As a result — it was gone. The whole kit and kaboodle. Everything I had worked on for over two years was shut down in a matter of seconds.
Consequently, I had two choices:
- Cry, whine, and gripe over the fact that all my hard work was gone forever, or…
- Take ownership of my mistake (see step one), learn from it, and try again.
All I had control over was what I did next…
For this reason, I exercised proactivity — I controlled the controllables. I had no control over the fact that my blog was gone. But I had complete control over what I did about it.
And out of that situation; alexbrownofficial.net was born.
Similarly, what can you take more control of when it comes to conquering challenges in your life? Are there areas where you’re not as proactive as you could be? Do you find yourself complaining more than you’re taking action?
Here are a few indicators that may suggest — for a lack of a better term — that you’re not grabbing the bull by the horns:
- Things are not changing or improving
- Obstacles remain or even become worse
- You feel stagnant Change occurs where proactivity and responsibility meet.
3. Persist Through the Difficulty
When it’s all said and done, sometimes, you just need to bite the bullet and wait it out. Major setbacks are rarely resolved within a day. Time is your greatest ally — and if nothing else, just wait.
I know this may seem like a scary concept, but the truth is, storms don’t last forever. Consequently, sometimes conquering challenges comes down to patience.
If you’re taking responsibility, controlling the controllables, and being proactive, then that’s all you can do. At this point, it’s simply a game of perseverance.
For this reason, you must stay the course. Remain steadfast. And keep plugging away — every single day.
Even though some days will feel hopeless, you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing all you can. And with enough time; the clouds will eventually subside, the sun will reappear, and you’ll look back on those dismal days with a sense of pride and satisfaction for following through.
Ready to Begin Conquering Challenges?
Turning your setbacks into springboards is a matter of taking ownership and then attempting to rectify what went sideways. If you recognize that and then implement it in your own life, no obstacle will be enough to deter you from your dreams and goals.
