Space For Setbacks
Running a business can feel like throwing darts blindfolded and hoping they land somewhere useful!
As 2024 winds down, it’s a good time to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and what could have been done differently. Reflection isn’t just about reviewing results; it’s also about understanding how we felt and how those emotions shaped our decisions and actions.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the balance I found between working on my business and spending quality time with loved ones. There were new adventures, learning opportunities, and personal growth. I stepped out of my comfort zone by joining new professional networking groups, participating in podcast interviews, and expanding my online presence. I also committed to developing a new skill and made slow but steady progress.
Staying active has been another win. While I walked more during the warmer months, I remained consistent with my online exercise class four mornings a week, thanks to group accountability. These small victories remind me that steady effort leads to meaningful progress.
Still, not everything went as planned. Professionally, I’ve faced slower-than-hoped business growth. Starting something new takes time, just as it did when I launched my psychotherapy practice. It’s easy to feel discouraged when results are slow, but setbacks are part of self-employment.
Running a business can feel like throwing darts blindfolded and hoping they land somewhere useful! If a potential client doesn’t move forward, it’s natural to second-guess yourself. But decisions are rarely about just one factor. There’s so much outside our control and that remains unknown. Accepting uncertainty is key to managing disappointment and staying focused on what you can control.
Why Emotional Awareness Matters
Understanding and working with our emotions is crucial for resilience and growth. Suppressing feelings is like holding a beach ball underwater—it takes constant energy and eventually resurfaces with more force. Instead, allowing emotions to float freely helps us observe them without being overwhelmed.
Naming and accepting your feelings can bring clarity and calm. Instead of fighting emotions, you can learn from them and respond with intention. This approach reduces stress and builds emotional resilience.
Over time, I’ve noticed patterns in my emotions, sometimes tied to life events and other times linked to physical changes like hormonal shifts. Instead of seeing these ups and downs as weaknesses, I recognize them as signals pointing to what truly matters.
Emotional Wealth vs. Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
I think of Emotional Wealth as a state of emotional well-being developed through intentional habits and self-awareness. It differs from:
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions in yourself and others.
Resilience: The capacity to recover from challenges or setbacks.
Emotional wealth encompasses both but emphasizes building an inner reserve of peace, balance, and fulfillment. This reserve supports us, even during tough times. Practices like journaling, listening to music, meditating, and spending time in nature nurture emotional wealth. It also involves connecting with others, fostering gratitude, and focusing on what truly matters.
Perspective and Growth
Expanding your perspective makes managing setbacks easier. Gratitude, loving-kindness meditation, and awe can help you see the bigger picture. Recognizing your smallness in the universe often puts daily frustrations in perspective and refocuses you on what’s meaningful.
In Closing
Remember, setbacks aren’t failures. They’re part of the process of growth and clarity. By embracing your emotions, investing in your emotional wealth, and focusing on what you can control, you can create a life rooted in purpose and fulfillment. Each challenge is an opportunity to learn, recalibrate, and move forward.
As you reflect on the year, take pride in your efforts, learn from your experiences, and cherish what truly matters. Progress isn’t always linear, but it’s always worth celebrating. This week, if you’d like, try one practice to build your emotional wealth or expand your perspective—whether it’s recounting what you are grateful for, doing a walking meditation, or savoring a few moments in nature—and notice how it helps you feel more grounded.
With curiosity, compassion, and determination, you can approach the future with confidence and a sense of possibility.
