We've all lived through a moment (or several) where things don't exactly go as planned. I often remember hearing adults saying, "Not everything is going to go your way". I had no idea how true that statement was until I became an adult...with responsibilities.
Yes, it sucks when things don't go your way...the fact of the matter is that it is a fact of life. Although it brings about a multitude of feelings such as frustration, disappointment and even anger in some cases, it is important to know how to pick up the pieces and keep going.
Regardless of the situation, there are several steps that you can take to help you get through that moment when things don't go your way with ease.
1. Regroup: Your insides (and outsides) may be boiling with a laundry list of emotions, but you'll need to realize that acting on those feelings won't necessarily get you anywhere if you train them in the wrong direction. Call a time-out, take a minute to step back and evaluate the situation. Calm down, regroup and regain your sense of direction. Take as much time as you need, since the next step will be a call to action that should have no room for emotions.
2. Evaluate: Ask yourself why the original plan didn't go according to plan, and what you could have done to encourage a more favorable outcome. Compare expected results to what you actually ended up with. Where did things go wrong? Did things not turn out the way you expected due to action of your own? Or was there a specific person that brought about a different result? This is not the time to point fingers. Use this time to really get to the root of the situation.
3. Reach Out: Ask for the input/constructive criticism of other parties involved. If this was a solo act, then reach out to an unbiased party that you can trust to tell you the truth. Try not to take this feedback personally. Instead, use this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective of the situation. This may also bring to light other options for ensuring your desired outcome next time.
4. Plan: Once you have taken the time to Regroup, Re-Evaluate and Reach Out, it is time to start formulating a new plan. Take into account the information that you have gathered from steps 2 and 3 so that you don't repeat the same mistakes twice. Set realistic goals to help you achieve the desired results, and build a plan around this goal. Take the time to carefully plan out your course of action, making sure to always think of a Plan B or C, just in case!
As a rule of thumb, try to refrain from making spur of the moment decisions. Especially if the decision you are making could bring about serious consequences for you or others involved. Learning to improvise is a much better option, than operating as a fly by night individual. Not only will improvising ease your mind, it will also allow you to come off as the person that can work through any situation.
Keeping these tips in mind, we have to ask...Are you ready for that next moment when something doesn't go your way?
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