Bouncing Back After Life Throws You a Curveball by Cindy Stradling CSP, CPC

Whenever you set a large goal in life, there are bound to be some setbacks along the way. Unfortunately, it is these setbacks that often mean the end of a dream for people. The saddest part about this is the fact that the setback didn’t have to mean the end of a project, and that success may have been just around the corner.

Disappointment is often the culprit when people give up on a dream. It is not that they no longer have the capacity, capital, or skill to keep pursuing their goal. Instead it is simply that they lose faith in their own ability to get to the finish line. However, if you plan ahead, you can prevent disappointment and setbacks from derailing your dreams. Here are some things you can do to pick yourself up.

1. Have the dream written down. When you’re working toward a large goal, it is important to be able to easily remember why you are doing what you’re doing. Whether it’s for monetary reward, or a better family life; it is critical that you can easily visualize where you want to go when times get tough. Having your goals and your definition of success in written form will help you to bounce back when times get tough.

2. Have a mentor. It’s very important to have a resource who has seen success in the same or similar field. Not only will this person be able to offer practical advice to help you make good decisions, but he or she can help encourage during down times. You can bet your mentor has seen setbacks, too.

3. Have an outlet. One reason setbacks can be so devastating is that people working toward a goal may have little else going on in their life at the time. Maintaining balance between work and family, or even having a hobby that gets your mind off your main pursuit can be helpful. These other pursuits give you the opportunity to recharge by thinking about something else for a while. This break often allows you to return to your pursuit feeling refreshed and with a new perspective.

No worthwhile pursuit comes easy. It is important to be prepared for the fact that setbacks will come. However, if you are prepared to deal with them, these need not permanently steal your dreams.