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Day 34: SetBacks


After 33 long working days of waking up at 3:30, and well, at 3:00 in the past week, today I woke up at 6:45. Well, I was woken up. And I don't feel okay. At this time, I should have done about 25% of the tasks on my daily schedule, and I'm just starting with the blog at this hour. I don't even know what to write about, seeing as I am now under a lot of pressure, and time is really not on my side.

I feel like somehow I have failed something or someone, as if everyone in the world knows that today I defected. I derailed from my daily routine, and this today is a setback. But wait, enough about me; let's talk about setbacks. Don't we all experience such? How best do we deal with them? Do we just throw in the towel and label ourselves as failures after a couple of setbacks?

(Deep sigh.) Okay, let's get real. Life is a bit like a rollercoaster, isn't it? Full of ups and downs, twists and turns, moments of sheer exhilaration and moments where you just want to close your eyes and pray for it to be over. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, when you're finally starting to build some momentum, BAM! You hit a setback. It's like that feeling when you're running at full speed and trip over your own feet. Except instead of just scraping your knees, you feel like you've scraped your entire ego.

We've all been there, haven't we? That project you poured your heart and soul into that got rejected. That dream job you interviewed for that you didn't get. That diet you were religiously following that went out the window the moment you a BIG billboard of a BIG Mac (which is not that big to be quite honest).

Setbacks are a part of life. They're inevitable, unavoidable, and often incredibly frustrating. But here's the thing: they don't have to define us. They don't have to derail our dreams or crush our spirits. In fact, setbacks can actually be opportunities for growth, for learning, and for becoming even stronger than we were before.

Think about it. How many times have you faced a setback that, in hindsight, actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise? Maybe it forced you to re-evaluate your goals, to change your approach, or to discover hidden strengths you didn't even know you had. Take it from Oprah Winfrey, "Turn your wounds into wisdom."

The Bounce-Back Factor

So, how do we deal with setbacks? How do we bounce back from those moments of disappointment, frustration, and self-doubt? Well, it's not always easy, but it is possible. And it all starts with changing our perspective.

Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, we need to see them as opportunities for growth. Instead of letting them define us, we need to use them to refine us (mhm...can I get an Amen!). Instead of giving up, we need to get up, dust ourselves off, and try again.

Proverbs 24:16, "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." Even the wisest man knew very well that setbacks are part of life. 

The Setback Survival Guide

Here are a few tips for navigating those bumps in the road:

  • Embrace the suck: It's okay to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even angry when you experience a setback. Don't try to suppress your emotions. Acknowledge them, process them, and then let them go.
  • Learn from your mistakes: Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Take some time to reflect on what went wrong, what you could have done differently, and how you can avoid making the same mistake in the future.
  • Don't give up: Setbacks are not the end of the world. They're just temporary obstacles on the road to success. So, don't give up on your dreams. Keep going, keep learning, and keep growing.
  • Celebrate your successes: When you do achieve a goal, no matter how small, take some time to celebrate your success. Acknowledge your hard work, your resilience, and your ability to overcome challenges.

And if you're looking for some extra inspiration, check out "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. It's a great book about how to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Or, if you're more of a visual learner, try watching the film "Rocky." It's a classic underdog story about how to overcome adversity and achieve your dreams.

It's time to stop letting setbacks define us and start using them to refine us. It's time to embrace the ups and downs of life and to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges we face. Winston Churchill said it best, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." And trust me, you've got the courage. I've collected some for myself and finished the blog ready to start my day, you can do that as well, because This is What We Do Now. 

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