Success despite setbacks
How to transform negative situations into positive outcomes
Failures, setbacks and obstacles are unavoidably part of the human experience. Some people move past them; others don’t. Those who do move past expect the challenges and embrace the discomfort. The following steps can help you overcome setbacks in business and shape a successful outcome.
Objectify your circumstances. A typical initial response to a setback is to let it define you, to make it mean something about you. But a setback is, in fact, neutral. For example, a client cancelling a big order is, in itself, simply a cancelled order. But you can make it mean something negative by focusing on its impact and turning it inward.
Instead, take a step back and look at your circumstances from an objective, neutral perspective, with no personal attachment to the outcome on your part.
Think proactively. Adopting a neutral perspective allows you to move from being reactive and acting on impulse, to being proactive and taking a deliberate approach to problem-solving. According to famed author Stephen Covey, even when circumstances limit choices, a proactive person will find where they can still think logically instead of getting emotionally hijacked.
Thinking proactively allows you to pause to ask better questions, such as: What do I control in this situation? What can be done for this client? How can I compensate for this cancelled order? Is this a one-off event or a recurring issue?
Act with purpose. As you think proactively and ask better questions to reach a successful outcome, it’s important to factor in your values and your vision. Acknowledging what matters—the goals you’re chasing and the impact you want to make—will help you align your decisions correctly.
Acting with purpose brings about a deeper reflection. Is the client who cancelled their order the kind of client you want to serve? Was the cancelled order a true reflection of your brand and vision or did you slip on this one?
Keeping your business’s core values and vision in mind will lead you to decisions that align with the purpose of your business. Setbacks are hard, but following these three steps will help you make better conscious decisions that lead to successful outcomes.
Costco Connection: Costco offers a variety of essentials for small businesses, from products to services, at great value. Learn more at Costco.ca under “Services”.
