Lesson
Addressing Setbacks with Resilience
What to do when faced with inevitable setbacks on your journey to lasting change.
Addressing Setbacks with Resilience
Just by using Evive, you’ve shown your commitment and grit to make changes in your life, and you are firmly on the path to a healthier, more fulfilling, life free from gambling harm.
We hope you feel powerful, unstoppable, and ready to take on the world.
Just as it may have seemed impossible when you started this journey that you would ever be able to stop gambling, you may now feel like it seems impossible for you to ever fall into the gambling trap ever again.
We hope you don’t. But if you do, it’s important to remember, setbacks are normal. Success is not linear. We all stumble.
Let’s explore what to do if you find yourself faced with a setback in your journey.
What to Do With a Setback
It’s how we respond to these setbacks that ultimately determines our success.
There are 3 things we can do when we experience a setback that will strengthen our ability to overcome challenges, and continue progressing in our journey.
Normalize them
Utilize past experience
Use them as a growth opportunity
Normalizing Setbacks
Setbacks happen. They are totally normal, and some would argue, a necessary part of change. They do not define your overall progress, or your ability to ultimately succeed. When you experience one, there are a couple things you can do to normalize the experience:
Avoid Self-Criticism
Try to avoid self-blame and harsh self-criticism when facing setbacks, as they can hinder your ability to move forward. A helpful exercise is to think “What would I say to a friend who experienced this?”. Often, it can be easier to show compassion to others than to ourselves.
Seek Support
Reach out to your support network during setbacks, sharing your feelings and experiences to receive encouragement. This is the whole reason we’ve spent all this time creating our network! Use it!
Utilizing Past Experiences
The other thing that often happens when we experience setbacks is that we suddenly develop amnesia as to all the other things in our lives we’ve tried and failed to do. For example, after a couple years of playing the guitar, it’s really hard to remember what the first painstaking weeks felt like.
You’ve experienced setbacks before in many areas of your life, and guess what, you’ve overcome most of those! It can be really helpful to actively recall past experiences where you've overcome challenges to draw strength and confidence.
Reframing Setbacks as Opportunities for Growth
Lastly, setbacks are actually incredible opportunities!
They can teach you what isn’t working for you, which is sometimes even more valuable than learning what is working. To harness the power of setbacks for growth, try to focus on the following:
Show Your Growth Mindset
It’s one thing to say you have a growth mindset, and another thing to exhibit it when times get tough. What a great opportunity to demonstrate the progress you’re making!
Identify Silver Linings
Look for silver linings in setbacks, identifying potential positive aspects or hidden opportunities.
Adjust Goals
Adjust your goals as needed to accommodate setbacks, recognizing that progress may require more flexibility, or different strategies.
Let's Reflect
How do you engage with your support network, such as friends, family members, or peers in recovery, when facing setbacks in your journey?
What lessons or insights have you gained from past setbacks or challenges in your journey, and how have these experiences contributed to your personal growth and development?
Closing Thought
Addressing setbacks with resilience is an essential part of your success.
Embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, overcoming obstacles with resilience and determination.
Remember, setbacks do not define your journey; rather, it's how you respond to them that builds your strength and progress!