Overcoming Setbacks

March is Women’s History Month, and I can’t help but think about all of the sacrifices women around the globe have had to make. It has been especially difficult over the past 2 years, with the pandemic, job losses, increased burden of caregiving, and even managing mental health.

There just seems to always be an extra “struggle” or an “additional” hump if you will for women to easily reach their goals. #Breakthebias 

Even those women business owners, who had the best laid plans and strategies to elevate their businesses, had to quickly pivot or shift gears into doing something different these past 2 years. Other business owners, however, were just stunned and didn’t know what to do to move forward. 

Which was a normal reaction. 

Bouncing back, building resilience, and overcoming setbacks to get ready for the comeback, is definitely a business skill that generally takes practice, intention, and continued focus to work on and not get “stuck”.

So here are six insights on how to overcome setbacks from some of the business owners I’ve coached throughout the years:

#1 Setbacks should always be expected. 

Similar to when we drive to go to a particular destination, sometimes there are “roadblocks” like car accidents or road construction. 

Since we didn’t anticipate the setback, we may arrive late to our appointment or have to take an unknown route that was more stressful. 

Business setbacks put you in a similar situation and just like you figure out a way around the roadblock by using a detour or going on a different way, it’s your responsibility to do the same with your business.

For example, when you want to launch a new product line, and there are backlogs with the supply chains or ingredients that you need. There could also be setbacks with production, manufacturing, permitting, etc. The question you want to ask yourself is How can I lessen its impact?

When you’ve already planned to have “setbacks”, you have a PLAN B or C in your back pocket. You can also easily come up with ideas for a work around. Therefore solutions like changing the recipe, or improvising ingredients needed for the product, pushing back the timeline to launch are definitely options, even looking for other “local” vendors for support is another.

The saying from the Brits, “Keep Calm and Carry On” is always relevant in these circumstances and sometimes there could be a “nice” surprise at the end of the “detour”.

#2 Have a network of experts or a support system 

When a setback comes your way, having a network of folks to help you through it is invaluable. 

Your network of experts can be of people who have “been there, done that” and now know how to navigate you through that particular “setback”. 

For example, restaurants and food establishments are part of an industry that by now is used to having to shut their doors or pivot on how they serve customers. Everything from the pandemic, to hurricanes, or even wildfires, etc. there is a level of resilience that these business owners have been able to build up through the years. Due to the unpredictability, they are very good at planning their orders of food supplies, making menus that minimize the amount of food waste, and possibly partner with each other to share ingredients and or even share orders with similar vendors. Having a back-up food distribution plan or a food storage solution is key, in the event they need to keep their ingredients fresh and cannot use them in a timely manner.

Thus, their knowledge and having a “network” of experienced crisis management restaurant owners, can help the not as experienced owners with their planning. 

Another form of support is having a network of people who can provide additional resources, like finding avenues of extra funding, or marketing on a shoe-string budget. Possibly joining small business-centric groups like your Chamber of Commerce or an industry association, like the National Retail Association for brick and mortar stores is another opportunity to build connections with people who will not only provide resources, but can also support you when you need to release negative emotions about situations affecting your business. You will feel less alone, when you have a network of others also going through similar setbacks.

Lastly, I personally, like having a network to help keep things in perspective. People you trust can be empathetic listeners, objective outside third parties, who can not only provide various angles to look at your situation, but also provide an opportunity for some good laughs from time to time. Humor is always a welcomed relief when it comes to overcoming a setback. 

#3 Learn what you need to learn

In the entrepreneurial world, Change is inevitable and thus we as business owners want to be on a constant quest of learning. When we don’t continue to learn and grow, we die (or shall I say our businesses die). So, when thinking about overcoming setbacks, rather than wallowing in self-pity or screaming at the universe, the best next step to take is to figure out “What can be learned from this situation?“. Who can I seek out, what do I need to further research or take a course on?

Once again, looking at your setback with less emotion and use it to gather more information instead. Sometimes what might arise is you will need to focus on something that you’re not as knowledgeable about or maybe you need to develop a skill or muscle, that hasn’t necessarily been used as much prior.

For example, what I’ve noticed with the business owners I’ve been helping with lately, many NEED to learn more about social media, or marketing themselves as part of their brand for their business. Others need support with technology, cyber security, and even automation systems. It is no longer enough to simply say, “Well I’m not good with technology, or I’m not good at marketing or sales, etc.”- that for sure will lead to your downfall.

Thus, LEARN what you need to Learn, as it is an important step to overcoming setbacks. Once you’ve received general knowledge on the topic, you can always outsource or hire someone else to do it for you, if you find it is something you do not enjoy.

#4 Stay Present

When we “worry” too much into the “what ifs”, we are spending too much time on trying to figure out the future. And when we dwell on our “regrets” or the “I wish I had…” or “I would have, could have, should have…” it keeps us in the past. Both are counter productive.

Both are things we have NO control over (past and future). Instead think of, “What NOW?” -What can I control, change, impact, do differently at this moment?

It may simply be, controlling your reaction or emotions to the situation. It could be communicating to an employee that was not able to fulfill the order that they were expected to last week. Or possibly addressing the present moment that your sales aren’t on track for the quarter and therefore, what steps need to be taken at this very moment to get them back on track?

More often than not, we tend to worry about what's to come, or dwell on something that's already happened. It is important to remember, we control the now and the steps we take today - the outcomes or results will follow accordingly. So prioritize your day according to what you CAN do today, especially when you are in the middle of a “setback”. And then tomorrow will come and you’ll address what comes your way then.

Once the setback has passed, you can then go back to Planning for milestones, but in the interim of a challenge, its about getting through the challenge first.

#5 Manage your self talk 

“Clarity Comes from Engagement, not Thought”. You may not have it all figured out THIS moment, and grant yourself some grace for that.

“Just pray and move your feet” is what my coach shares with me. It’ll get “figured out”, especially in times of hardship. Everything is “Figure-outable” (is what I like to tell my son).

Self-doubt will want to creep into our mindset, especially during times of setbacks or “inaction”. Remember that these “hesitant” thoughts are simply trying to keep you safe, and are there to pull you back into your “comfort zone”, which may have served you well in the past. However as a growing and developing entrepreneur and business owner, the negative self talk will simply bring you to your breaking point.

Get moving and next steps will reveal themselves, especially if you are doing things that fill your soul and you know you are fulfilling your life’s purpose.  Give yourself credit for progress, (not perfection) and doing the important work that you do and for trying something new. And always go back to “your WHY” and meaning and purpose of your work.

Great ways to overcome the negative self talk is gathering positive feedback and testimonials from customers or reviewing what has been said about you before. Imagine, if you weren’t there to support the people you support, “Who would be?”. Also, take time to do some positive affirmation meditation or revisit your Business Mission and Vision. Share your story and allow others to be touched as to why you do what you do. Lastly, remember what we do, share, and give to our clients and communities is about them (not about us) and ensuring they have a piece of the gifts that you possess is how to overcome negative self-talk. More on this in my Mindset Makeover Program, check it out here.

#6 Process things and move on

Don’t anchor yourself in disappointment, you’ll get stuck. Hang on to things that help you take a different perspective, whether that is exercise, a hobby, spending time with family, spirituality, whatever it is that “fills your soul”. You can mourn, be upset, feel angry, etc. and then move on. Everything is temporary and Success is your resilience to failure.

Learning how to “figure” things out, when there’s a wrench thrown into your plans or your timeline of what you want to complete or achieve, is something that can continuously be practiced. Utilizing the above 6 strategies to help you get through your setbacks in business will allow you get better at being ready for your comeback. Let me know what you think and if any of the six concepts above are an area you need support in, let’s talk.

Feel free to also share you comments below and what may be coming up for you. Happy March everyone!