3 Ways To Recover From A Setback

You’re going to fail at different things in this life. It’s inevitable, but you’ll learn from those failures and hopefully understand what to do differently next time. A number of the ones you experience will also cause setbacks too, but you can recover from those as well.

There are areas I've failed in and recovered from too.

Something like failing a test can prompt you to buckle down and study harder. A failed project at work can show you what does and doesn’t work so you succeed with the next upcoming assignment. Overspending and getting in debt may prompt you to budget and exercise better self-control. I’ve found that failures and setbacks can be recovered from if you’re willing to change. 3 ways to recover from a setback?

Reflect. Whenever I’ve had a setback, made a dumb decision (and lived with the consequences), or failed at something, I reflect on what happened and ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” Reflecting prompts introspection, your role in the setbacks you’ve had, and how you can move forward. Some situations and circumstances will be out of your control but making decisions is a choice. You decide whether to go to school or not. You decide to follow instructions or choose to rebel. And you decide how to manage your finances. What kind of decisions are you making?

Strategize. A great strategy can be highly effective. When I was a broke college student, I maxed out a credit card my freshman year. And guess who paid for that choice? Me. My mom helped me strategize how to pay the card off and once I did, I learned a valuable lesson about money and delayed gratification. I learned to use cash, budget, and to assess the difference between wants and needs. What strategies can you implement in your own various setbacks?

Go Forward. It’s okay to be sad, angry, and disappointed when you face a setback of any kind, but don’t stay in those areas. You’ve got work to do. And you’re going to be okay. Don’t be deterred because you’ve made mistakes. I’ve made a lot of them and I’m still standing. God knew what mistakes you’d make before you even made them. Take things one step at a time and move forward. You’re going to be okay. You’ve got this.

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

A Taste At Colattao Coffee House

I love checking out new coffee spots. It’s nice to take in a space I haven’t been to before that’s so chill, it makes me want to go back and visit again and again. This is exactly how I felt when I stepped into Colattao Coffee House. The kind customer service, the amazing options, and the aesthetically pleasing décor were everything. The aroma of the freshly grounded coffee beans, along with the sight of their mouth-watering pastries didn’t hurt either. I’ve visited this spot just a few times, and always enjoyed myself, my drinks, and my food. It’s definitely worth the trip. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a cool and cozy spot for a solo outing or to meet up with a friend, I highly recommend checking out Colattao Coffee House sometime. You’ll enjoy it!

Making Waves