How To Deal With Discouragement

Greetings Leaders!

Well, we all get discouraged don’t we? When you look at people who we consider to be successful, many of us look for the the things that made them great. What did they do? Who did they know? What marketing system did they use? What industry were they in? These things are important to be sure, but… just as important is how a successful person deals with failure and discouragement.

The difference between a those that succeed, and those that don’t is how they handle adveristy, disappointment and failure.

Most of you have probably heard the quote from Thomas Edison when asked about his light bulb experiments. but just in case you haven’t, here is the actual quote from his interview in 1921 (American Magazine January 1921).

After we had conducted thousands of experiments on a certain project
without solving the problem, one of my associates, after we had
conducted the crowning experiment and it had proved a failure,
expressed discouragement and disgust over our having failed to find
out anything. I cheerily assured him that we had learned something.
For we had learned for a certainty that the thing couldn't be done
that way, and that we would have to try some other way.

So, how do you handle discouragement? The first thing you must do, is have the Commitment To Get Up. Before a crisis arrives, you must make a commitment to yourself, that no matter what happens, that you will get up. A leader is not defined by his or her ability to not get knocked down. A leader is defined by their reaction to the situation. A leader gets up. No matter what.

How you handle discouragement is a state of mind. To successfully deal with discouragement, you must realize that you can control how you react, and then you must commit to quashing discouragement when it arises. Here are some suggestions about how to overcome discouragement.

1. Admit that you’re human.
2. Extend grace to those around you who may be the source of discouragement.
3. Extend some grace to yourself. Stop beating yourself up.
4. Let go of your emotions. If needed, grab your pillow and yell into it, or pummel it.
5. Release your discouragement. If you have to have a pity party, make it short. Then move on.
6. Get around some positive people. Leaders and winners have a good support system.
7. Take a break. If you are having a hard time dealing with discouragement, maybe it’s time for a short break, or even a vacation. If you can’t afford either… just go to your favorite coffee shop or bookstore and decompress for a bit.
8. Get some exercise! Your body impacts your minds ability to stay focused and positive
9. Eat right! If you are eating lots of sugar, be prepared for the sugar lows that follow. Also, if you are not eating at all, your body has less energy and studies have shown that low blood sugar does create mood swings.
10. Find a spiritual reason that gives you significance.

I hope this helps you move on if you are discouraged. If you need some encouragement, feel free to contact me!

Keep on truckin!

Lead With Honor,
JT

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