The meaning of setbacks

How you look at something is important. That ‘something’ could be setbacks.

An article about athlete Patrick Johnson (Canberra Times 22 Jan. 2005) reinforces this idea. In sport, setbacks occur. It’s how you deal with them mentally and physically that’s important, says Johnson.

He suggests that you have to go through the injuries because it’s a great part of getting better. ‘They strengthen you. Because if you don’t have injuries you’ll never have that opportunity to further yourself because you’ll always be in your best shape.’

In business we might prefer not to have ‘injuries’. We prefer to always be in our best shape, building customers, profit, lifestyle. Being sick literally or metaphorically is not good for business. But like Johnson, when life’s hiccups occur, they are opportunities to further yourself.

• If we haven’t lost a key client we might never examine the value of what we’re doing.
• If our outgoings never exceed our incomings we might ignore opportunities to examine our pricing or cash flow.
• If our services are never stagnant we might choose to ignore their shortcomings.

But we don’t have to wait for the hiccups to occur in order to further ourselves. We could choose to set aside time to examine what we are doing, even though all might seem well. Our business best shape might not have been reached after all.

Remember: 'No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe.' Harry Gray

Other useful articles:

• Building better thinking skills to foster wellbeing
• 56 Ways to nurture your wellbeing

Dr Ann Villiers, learning guide, professional speaker and author, is Australia's only Mental Nutritionist® specialising in mind and language practices that help people build flexible thinking, confident speaking and quality connections with people. Visit www.mentalnutrition.com to learn more about Mental Nutrition. Visit www.selectioncriteria.com.au for free resources unlocking the mysteries of public service jobs.