Refined By Setbacks, Not Defined By Them
On Mondays, I choose a quote that resonates with me and share it in hopes that it will serve as a dose of inspiration to start your work week, and nudge you to take steps to move your goals forward.
“Setbacks are there to remind you, not define you.” ~Michelle Sandlin
In the moment, setbacks may feel heavy and can seem like they will stay around for longer that we would like. Maybe it’s a decision that didn’t work out as you would have liked, or a project that didn’t meet expectations, or an employment opportunity that didn’t go as planned. What if we looked at setbacks through the lens of opportunities for growth and ways to help sharpen our actions going forward? Setbacks carry lessons waiting to be uncovered, if we are open to seeing things from a new perspective. Being defined by setbacks can limit our confidence and our courage. Being refined by setbacks can help us to look closely at what the experience reveals and spur us to move from self-judgment to curiosity.
Here are a few words of encouragement to help you reframe setbacks, uncover the lessons, and turn challenging moments into growth opportunities:
Pause and reflect: step back and assess the situation from an objective perspective. Focus on trying to gain a deeper understanding of what happened vs. jumping to self-criticism.
Uncover the lessons: identify key takeaways that you can leverage to shape future actions.
Adjust and apply: implement purposeful changes based on insights gained.
The next time you are faced with a stumble or challenge, pause and ask yourself: What is this teaching me? How can it refine who I am becoming?
Would you like to take this message deeper and apply it to a current situation? Reach out and let’s discuss what you are navigating and how I can support you to move forward.
