WILLIE JOLLEY

You can learn how to survive and thrive through any business setback if you follow a four-step process of turning a setback into a comeback.

Every super successful businessperson has had setbacks; however, they realize that a setback is not the end of the road. Those who realize that setbacks are simply part of the business process usually thrive, while those who dwell on setbacks routinely falter. The fact is, a setback is really a change that needs to occur to move forward. In every industry, things change. Temporary setbacks can empower you to reach even greater levels of future business success.

Four Steps

No matter what obstacle has plagued your business, following a four-step process can help you survive and thrive through any business setback.

How you deal with setbacks will likely determine your level of success.

1. Focus your vision. Where you focus your energy determines where you will go. If you focus on the setbacks and the challenges these bring you, your business can't move forward. However, when you focus your vision on what you want your business to become—despite the setbacks—then you're using the setback for what it really is: a transitionary period. You need to look past the obstacle and plan your future strategies. Ask yourself: “What is the big picture I have for my business?” “What can I do differently to keep this setback from occurring again?” “What goals (sales, product development, customer retention, etc.) do I want my business to achieve in the next three, six and 12 months?” “What can I learn from this setback?” Use the answers to these questions to guide your new business focus.

2. Make a decision. Both success and failure are decisions. Once your vision is in place, you need to decide you're going to win despite the setback. Successful business people choose to be successful. They understand that decision and choice are integral parts of the success formula. No matter what setback they encounter, they decide to overcome it and prevail. Negative advisors won't help you. You need to associate with positive advisors who share your vision. Make your new goal big enough. Just because you had a setback doesn't mean you have to start over small. See the big picture first, then decide what you will do to meet your new goal.

3. Take action. A decision without action is simply an illusion, and an action without a vision is mere confusion. Yet a vision plus decisive action can change the world. Once you decide on the factors to making your new business vision a reality, you must take action on each one. Once you take responsibility for your actions, you're ready to move forward and attain your next goal. Remember, you might not be responsible for getting knocked down, but you are responsible for getting back up. Only those who act achieve their goals.

4. Keep the desire. Desire is the degree of energy you exert to reach your goal. How badly do you want your business to survive and what are you willing to do to achieve it? Many business people who take action quickly give up because their desire falters. Either a new idea strikes them and they lose focus, or they encounter another minor setback and become discouraged. To reach the new business goal you have set for yourself, you must desire to follow-through with every action, even if it involves a degree of risk. While taking a risk may be intimidating, especially after a setback, it's necessary to reach your new goal.

A setback is not the end of the road, but rather a bend in the road—and the only ones who crash are those who fail to make the turn. By viewing your business setback as a chance for future growth, every business challenge can have a positive outcome, and every setback can be seen as a setup for an incredible comeback. EE

Willie Jolley is the President of Willie Jolley Worldwide, author of It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life and A Setback Is a Setup For a Comeback, speaker, host of radio and television programs. 1-888-2MOTIV8 (888-266-8488).

Excellence in Action: See setbacks as signals of needed change for future growth.