New Research on How to Overcome Setbacks
A setback is an occurrence that delays, prevents, or even reverses progress. Some examples of self-regulation setbacks (i.e. lapses in self-control and self-discipline) are: cheating on a diet, purchasing non-essential items when on a budget, and watching TV or playing computer games when one should be studying.
Because setbacks are common, what differentiates successful from unsuccessful people is not whether they have ever experienced a failure. The differentiating factor is, instead, how they have responded—e.g., with greater determination and a renewed commitment to the goal vs. losing hope and giving up.
Preventing and Overcoming Setbacks By Preparing for Failure
The implementation intention (the if-then plan) can be applied to prepare how to manage the potential future failures. For instance, those dieting can create if then plan like the following: “If I fail to adhere to my dieting goal” then “I will reflect on the external factors that contributed to this failure,” and “will continue to pursue my dieting goal as usual.”
While it is healthy and adaptive to take responsibility for a failure and aim to improve performance, blaming oneself—especially internal causes beyond one’s control (e.g., thinking that “I’m weak” or “I have no willpower”)—is dysfunctional and has a negative effect on motivation and self-confidence. Blaming oneself is also often inaccurate because, in many situations, we underestimate—or are not even aware of—external factors that contributed to the failure.
In short, to overcome setbacks and stay motivated, expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
- Consider external causes.
- Remind yourself of previous successes and your potential to succeed.
- Refocus on the goal and try again.
What I have learned from the article
- People are often not fully aware of the causes of setbacks. They tend to attribute a failure to internal causes while ignoring external ones.
- Attributing setbacks to stable, internal factors beyond one’s control can make future failures more likely. This is called the setback effect.
- Research suggests that a mindset shift to focus on external causes of a failure can prevent the setback effect.
Read the complete article here
💬 How do you deal with setbacks that arise in your life?
💬 What´If...then´ plan can you create for the goal you are currently working on?
#resilience #setbacks #failure
@globalBraid3744
Valuable content, Braid! Setbacks are indeed quite upsetting, to say the least and can often lead people to think none of their progress matters when met with a setback in their way. It does help to reassure ourselves about the lack of control on external factors and shifting our mindset to a more "One Step At A Time" kinda thinking. ❤️ Thanks for sharing.
@globalBraid3744
How do you deal with setbacks that arise in your life?
By wallowing in the sorrow!! Lol, nah but I feel like I used to do that.
These days, I try to look at setbacks in life has teachable moments for me as well as learning opportunities. This is because so much of my life's progress has seemingly been tied towards my ability to engender self-compassion. Basically, just to always have my own back no matter what.
@globalBraid3744 Thank you so much for this article! I usually deal with setbacks straight on. I consider them as 'challenges' and opportunities for growth.
@globalBraid3744
Hello!
It's kinda related to my situation.But, I also procascinate.Thanks for the guide it really helps in overcoming my procascination and setbacks.I sometimes cheat in my supposed to be daily routines (especially cleaning) and if i am almost at my goal i would lose energy and said to myself, "I'm tired, I can't work it out.It's a waste of time anyway".Again, Thank you!