Five practical ways to encounter failure in life

In business, as in life, we are often taken aback by unexpected events. Sometimes these events are beneficial and help us achieve our goals. However, more often than not, we face challenges that have the potential to permanently derail us from making our dreams come true. A setback can take any form and come at any time. But it's how you tackle it that will set you apart from the others.

No matter what the setback, there is one thing that you can control at all times: your reaction. If you are having a bad day at the office, there is no need to be a sourpuss and make life miserable for everyone around you. Carry on as if all were well.

Failure is never permanent

For most people, especially ambitious and competitive ones, setbacks are not always easy to swallow. By our very nature, we do not like to fail. The first time you rode a bike, you probably fell off after five seconds. Did you just quit and go back to sucking your thumb? Of course not. You got back on that thing and tried until you could ride it around the block.

Do you still handle failure in the same gung-ho manner today? Suppose you were up for a promotion and did not get it. Would you have a big chip on your shoulder and start slacking off on the job? If so, that may be why the boss picked the other guy. The first thing you need to keep in mind if you fail at something is that failure is nothing more than a temporary setback. If you see failure in this light, you will come to realize that it is not so bad.

It's a new day tom

Here's another great way to quickly get back on track. Always keep in mind that to is a new day. If we have a rough day and fail at something, it isn't easy to keep our game face on and keep working. However, what separates the successful from everyone else is that they take their medicine, absorb the pain for that one day, and then come back re-energized the next day.

Don't dwell on the past

Successful people are able to rise above the fray because they focus on the task at hand and on how they can improve themselves. They learn from their past mistakes. What's done is done and cannot be changed. Successful people know this and don't waste time or energy beating a dead horse.

Clear mind, clean execution

If you miss the winning shot one day, you must come to terms with it quickly and move on. If you do this, you'll have a clear mind and will perform better. If you want to hit a home run, you must go to bat with the same mindset you had the last time you hit a home run.