Are you defeated or determined?

In my past I loved running. I would head outside almost daily for miles of running to clear my head. I signed up and ran numerous races, many half-marathons and one full marathon. I challenged myself each year to run a race I had never ran before. I loved the challenge and feeling I felt when I ran across the finish line. Then in 2016 I hurt my back and over the next few years I went through two back surgeries. My running days were now behind me.

As I look back at those times I found myself feeling frustrated, angry and discouraged. I also found that I had a choice on how to look at it. Would I let this defeat me or was I determined to do something different? I chose the latter. I picked up other hobbies and found other work outs that would challenge me.

We each have choices on how to view the setbacks in life. This could be personal, on the job or as a leader. Looking back at 2020 there are so many of us that have experienced a setback of some kind. We have to find a way to use the set back to move us forward.

Reflect back on your experiences and set backs.

• Did it challenge you to find a new goal?

• Did it stretch you to become the person and/or leader you are today?

• Where have you allowed those times to stop you?

• What was your biggest learning during that time?

If you are in a leadership role and your team had a set back, can you find ways to help them move forward? I have found the list below helpful in my role as a leader.

• Acknowledge the setback and allow them to express how they feel.

• Discuss lessons learned.

• Ask for feedback.

• Involve them in ideas on how to move forward.

• Encourage them.

Life and work will bring us challenges and sometimes setbacks. How you view them and what you do with them is up to you. Will you let it defeat you or determine you? The choice is yours.