~ “Of course …”
~ “I just knew that would happen.”
~ “I never seem to catch a break.”
Maybe these thoughts have entered your head when something went sideways for you after feeling as if you had gained a bit of momentum and were moving forward.
Something happened that created a temporary setback.
Only you can’t see your way out of it in the moment …
… and it doesn’t feel so temporary …
… and then a voice creeps in, ....
... validating every doubt you tried to squash that told you what you wanted just wasn’t possible – For You.
Ouch.
For You.
Yeah, it can feel as if everyone else can have that sweet taste of success and you, somehow, were forgotten by God.
For most people, this is the end of the story.
Game over. The skeptical inner chatterbox wins again.
The setback takes you out and the chatterbox convinces you that the setback is simply evidence that other people are really more talented … or favored …and what you want isn’t attainable.
So you choose to shrink a little and simultaneously puff out your chest and tell yourself you didn’t really want "x" anyway.
Yet for Upside Leaders, the setback isn’t the end of the road.
They see it as an unexpected detour on the journey.
Oh, and I understand this concept very keenly right now ...as I've been channeling my Upside Warrior for the past month, facing some big challenges and mustering massive amounts of courage and stoking the fire of my commitment.
Several friends have even shared they are in awe that I'm still standing after witnessing what I've faced.
You may ask yourself the question:
>> ☆ >> What makes the difference between someone who is taken out by a setback and one who takes it as a detour?
Choice. Direction. Commitment.
And, CONSISTENT ACTION.
If you feel as if you keep experiencing setback after setback, and you’re not experiencing the BIG W, ...take an honest look at your consistent action(s).
~ Are you living your priority?
~ Are you living moment by moment?
~ Are you noticing – and -- celebrating your small wins?
Years ago, I got a flat tire on a dangerous highway in New Jersey.
I was grateful for three things:
1) I had a spare.
2) A stranger saw me, pulled over, and offered to help.
3) I didn’t wear white that day.
Are you choosing to take consistent action and move forward just 1% in all areas of your life every day in spite of setbacks?
Setbacks are part of life and part of being human.
The best way to bend and not break when unexpected challenges confront you ... is to stay the course.
One of the songs at the Upside Summit goes, “And I’m taking it step by step, day by day, mile by mile … “
People with an Upside attitude see opportunities, not roadblocks.
ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to practice seeing every setback as: a side-step, a detour, or a challenge to rise up to meet and learn from.
Record how you transform each "roadblock" and stay the course.
Build your leadership muscles and learn to quiet the "chatterbox" that keeps you from shining because...