7 Secrets to Reclaiming Your Confidence After a Setback
"Do not be afraid of making mistakes, stumble a little, because that is how you grow and find the path that’s right for you." — Oprah Winfrey
Let’s be real—enthusiasm is hard to muster when it feels like life has been kicking your ass. Setbacks have a funny way of smacking it right out of you. Suddenly, you’re doubting everything, questioning if you even remember how to tie your shoes. And without confidence? Good luck. It’s like guaranteeing failure before you’ve even started.
But here’s the kicker: you CAN get your confidence back. Yep, even after that epic faceplant. Wanna know how successful people pull it off? Buckle up.
They Know They Can Do It
Successful people know failure isn’t a death sentence. It’s just a speed bump. Confidence doesn’t need to be shiny and perfect—it just needs to stick around long enough to remind you that, yeah, you’ve totally got this. Remember your goal, then act like the boss you are.
They Hit Pause
Sometimes, you need to back off before you explode. Confidence takes a nosedive when you’re stressed, so do yourself a favor: step away. Go take a walk, call your friend who never judges, or binge a trashy TV show. Whatever gets you out of your head for a minute. Use the Unfiltered Emotions Journal to help get your thoughts out of your noggin’ and onto paper.
They Stare Down Their History
Ohhhh, the dreaded reflection. Nobody loves it and it’s where a lot of us end up back in our heads. But look, your past failures and wins are a goldmine for figuring out what works. Take a hard look at your track record and remember—you’ve learned from all of it. That’s where confidence comes from—knowing yesterday’s mess-ups are today’s power moves.
They Forgive and Forget (Mostly)
Newsflash: beating yourself up over something isn’t gonna fix it. Successful people know when to let it go. You made a mistake. Congrats, you’re human. Move on, because clinging to that nonsense will only drag you down.
They Watch Their Mouths
Self-talk is sneaky. One minute, you’re just “being honest,” and the next, you’ve convinced yourself you’re the worst. Shut it down. Successful people know that the voice in your head can either hype you up or tear you apart. Choose wisely.
They Don’t Repeat The Same Mistakes
Here’s a wild idea: if something didn’t work, don’t do it again the exact same way. Shocking, I know. Confidence crumbles when you’re stuck in a failure loop. Switch it up. Try a new angle. It’s all just an experiment anyways, isn’t it?
They Keep Going
Listen, quitting guarantees failure. That’s just math. But getting back up after falling flat? That’s how you build confidence that sticks. Persistence isn’t pretty, but it works.
Bottom line: reclaiming your confidence isn’t a one-and-done deal. It takes work, and yeah, it might be slow going, but you’ll get there. Trust me, you’ve got more grit than you give yourself credit for.
If you’ve been struggling to regain your confidence after an upset - grab your free copy of the Unfiltered Emotions Journal and get out of your own head.