“Is it a temporary obstacle to your dreams and goals or a permanent one?  The choice is yours.”

- Donna Satchell -

I was temporarily speechless when I heard my name announced as a winner at the 2008 Twinkie Awards at the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14.  This annual show honors small business creativity and excellence.

I won the category of "Best Motivational Speaker in 5 Minutes or Less”.  I was at a loss for words because the other three contestants were all outstanding. Plus, I remembered losing in 2007, when I was certain I had presented a winning speech. That previous defeat was a major disappointment for me at the time. However, after giving the outcome a great deal of thought, I decided it would not stop me from trying again in 2008.

What do you do when you don't win --- don't get the job you interviewed for, the promotion you think you deserve or your prospect’s acceptance of the new product you just presented? Should you give up? When confronted with a losing situation, be it work-related or personal, you should ask yourself: "What's preventing me from reaching my goal - a temporary obstacle or a permanent one?"

When we face any kind of disappointment, our answer to that question can make all the difference in the world. If you decide that the setback is only temporary, here are seven essential steps for overcoming obstacles:

1. Stay positive - Do not slip into negative self talk by thinking "success will never happen for me" or "I'm not smart enough" or similar thoughts. Replace them with more positive ones like: "I've got what it takes or "I will try harder and be better prepared next time" etc. We must embrace constructive thinking that can propel us to take further action.
2. Ask yourself: "What could I have done differently?" This is a key question because there is always something we could change. By honestly looking for ways we can improve, we are on our way to achieving better results the next time.
3. Take action - After you have determined the changes you want to make, move forward to make those things happen the next time you try for your goal. Do you need to take classes, get coaching, study, or practice more? When I lost the speech contest in 2007, I realized I needed a stronger, more compelling closing, one that the judges would remember. So, I wrote and practiced a new speech with that in mind.
4. Get positive support - We must associate with encouraging, helpful people. Avoid the naysayers with their dim outlook on your prospects. Disassociate with anyone who is negative. If you cannot avoid them completely, at least limit what you tell them.
5. Rely on your beliefs - Use prayer, faith, spirituality, meditation, visualization, or whatever your practice may be. Engage in them fully. During challenging times, our beliefs can make all the difference in creating a better outcome, so do not forget them.
6. Try, try again! - Go on another job interview, apply for another promotion, make more calls to potential clients, etc. Whatever your goal is, go for it - this time with more knowledge, better preparation, additional skills, and/or greater faith.
7. Celebrate - If you succeed on your next attempt, then have a celebration --- you deserve it! But if you did not, ask yourself, "Do I still want to achieve this goal?" If the answer is "yes", then see step #1 and start anew.

If you are hesitant about trying again, keep in mind that most people do not succeed right away. Consider the authors Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen, who received 140 rejections from publishing companies before finding one that would publish the first edition of the now famous Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. Do you have that kind of persistence? If you do, then definitely try again.

If you do not have the determination required to continue with your original goal, then replace it with a new one. Benjamin E. Mays says, "The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." So find a new goal that you can be passionate about and pursue it with all the persistence and enthusiasm you have!

Donna Satchell, President of STARR Consulting & Training is a speaker, trainer and author.  She provides programs in customer service, team-building, time management, public speaking as well as motivational speeches which inspire individuals to live more successful lives.  Please visit www.JustGetSerious.com for information about products and services as well as to view videos of Donna’s speeches.  Contact her at 770-498-0400 or Donna@JustGetSerious.com.

Copyright 2006-2007 - Donna Satchell   All rights reserved. 

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