Setbacks are the Steppingstones to Success

We’ve all experienced setbacks in our lives whether it be from missing a potential job opportunity, making a few mistakes on a work project, or forgetting to ask for skim milk instead of whole milk at Starbucks. Whatever setbacks you encounter, just know that they play an important part in our lives. Setbacks are often seen as something negative but they can be quite the opposite, it all just depends on how you perceive them. Setbacks can be used to your advantage in surprising ways. Here are a few reasons why setbacks are the steppingstones to success!

#1 Setbacks create learning opportunities

Learning from setbacks can prove to be a powerful skill because it can teach you how to identify the factors that led to the setback in the first place and how to effectively avoid them in the future. Once you experience a setback, take the time to reflect and investigate how you could improve. Sometimes it takes a few steps back to gain the momentum to take a great leap forward. As Bill Gates once said, “It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

#2 Setbacks encourage innovation

When you experience a setback, sometimes it can force you to seek new paths to achieve success. Getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new can be challenging but finding a different angle to view and approach your goals may be just what you need to reach them.

#3 Setbacks can help you identify your weaknesses and strengths

Encountering a setback can help you discover what your weaknesses and strengths are and how you can improve on them. Sometimes it takes a setback to discover the skills you desire to gain and strengthen for your future benefit. There’s always room for self-improvement and you’ll thank yourself for taking the time and effort to do so later on in life!

#4 Setbacks can build a stronger character

Speaking of self-improvement, setbacks can also prove to be a test of your determination, diligence, and courage. Setbacks can put your character to the test by how you choose to recover or if you choose to recover at all. Staying determined in the wake of a few hiccups builds resilience and considering that life is full of unpredictable moments, being able to stay standing is a powerful life skill.

#5 Setbacks can help you realign with your goals

Life isn’t static so naturally with time things can change. Goals you once had may transform into completely different ones and setbacks can play an important role in realigning yourself with what you truly want. For instance, many college students change their major halfway through college because they realize that what they are currently studying isn’t for them. Maybe they lose some credits along the way but that setback will prove to be worth the sacrifice once they happily land their dream job! So with every setback, ask yourself if your goals are in line with what you want in life and adjust accordingly.

You have the power to choose how you view setbacks and how you utilize them. Setbacks are a blessing in disguise and with the right mindset you can use them to your advantage. The choice is yours, so when you’re hit with another setback just remember every setback is just success in progress!

This article was written by Brittney Jackson.
Brittney Jackson is a Senior studying at Towson University. Outside of school and work, she has a strong passion for travel and gaming; being a collegiate Esports athlete for the past 3 years and counting.