Dealing With Setbacks

Everyone, regardless of how wealthy they are, have and will experience setbacks. In the formula Event + Response = Outcome, it takes into account how you respond to the event, whether positive, negative or neutral. Thus, these events in our lives only mean as much as we give them meaning. Dealing with setbacks shouldn’t end in tragedy. With a new perspective, it can be a newfound opportunity. 

Events can be one of three things: neutral, positive, or negative. Regardless of what it is, it is in the past. What determines what this particular event would mean to you is yourself. When you’re facing a major setback, whether it be a failed business, getting fired, or even losing a loved one, your response is what will ultimately determine what the outcome will be. You can stop in your tracks, stay indoors, isolate yourself, stagnate, and even grieve. In any context of a major setback, grieving is inevitable. But what matters is that you still choose to continue. Look for opportunities, take what you can from them, and then move forward with what you’ve learned.

If you’re willing to win no matter what the circumstance, no matter the setback ahead of you, ask yourself these questions: “What about this event can benefit me? What happened that could be to my advantage?” The answer might not be obvious, but if you ask this over and over—and you are open to the answer—you’ll find one. This is because there is something positive for you, something to your advantage, inside any negative event.