Have you ever faced a minor setback at home or work?

We all have, at one time or another.

As inconvenient as a setback may be, it isn’t the end of the world.

In this post, I offer a few pointers to help you get through those bumpy patches in your projects.

Give yourself a few minutes to vent

Yes, the hours and energy you’ve just put into a project have suddenly turned to smoke.

It’s only natural to feel angry, frustrated, and upset when you’ve had a setback.

You’re only human!

That’s why it’s so important to take a couple of minutes to let off some steam.

You could talk to a friend about your frustrations, go for a walk, write in your journal, punch a pillow, or anything else that will let you blow off that hot air.

Even consciously acknowledging you are angry, disappointed, annoyed, and bothered may help you feel a bit better.

While it’s important to express your feelings, you shouldn’t linger on them too long, as you’ll want to keep moving things forward.

Learn a thing or two from your experiences

Okay, so things aren’t looking so good. That’s not to say you can’t learn a thing or two from your experiences. What has this whole experience taught you? What nuggets of information or wisdom can you glean from your ordeal?

For example, do you need to save your computer files more often? Do you not put all of your eggs in one basket? Maybe it would be wise to rethink your approach when it comes to solving a problem? Should you rework a timeline or timeframe? Perhaps you need to be more patient with yourself, and others?

Think carefully. You can always learn something from your experiences to help you in future.

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Take a look at the bigger picture

While that project or task currently seems to be the most important thing in the world to you, take a step back. Yes, that was a particularly frustrating experience, but it’s only taken up a brief moment in time.

View yourself, and your project, in terms of the grander scheme of things.

Think about it for a moment: will this issue be relevant a year or two from now? How about five, ten, or even twenty years?

If you still can’t get the perspective you need, make sure you get a good night’s rest. Things will certainly look different in the morning.

Be inspired to push on

It sure stinks to have a setback. But you don’t have to let that little inconvenience ruin everything else in your life or work. Yes, you weren’t able to complete something in the time you said you would, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ever complete it. Dig deep, and find the inspiration you need to continue your work.

How will you feel when everything is completed? Who will you help or benefit when your work is done? Why are you doing what you are doing in the first place?

Pick yourself up and dust yourself off. Be thankful for what you have right now, and for the wisdom your experiences have given you.

Yes, you will have to start again, but now you’re determined to succeed. You’re focused, inspired, and motivated.

This time, things will be different, and you will achieve your goal.

How about you? Have you recently had a setback at work, home, or school? What happened? What did you do work through that tough time? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!