What to Do When Feeling Discouraged

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

We all face moments when obstacles and setbacks seem insurmountable, leaving us feeling discouraged and questioning our abilities.  Whether that’s with a health goal, creative project, relationship, financial issue, academic struggle, or workplace challenge, discouragement can threaten to halt our progress.  However, it doesn’t have to be that way.  You have the power to turn these moments into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Embrace Discomfort

It’s natural to want to avoid discomfort but ignoring or suppressing feelings of discouragement often prolongs the struggle.  Instead, embrace these emotions as signals from your body and mind that something needs attention.  Consider this discomfort as an opportunity for transformation.  Just as a caterpillar emerges as a butterfly after transforming into liquid, you too can use this challenging time to evolve into something greater.  Take time to reflect on your feelings.  Journaling or meditating can be powerful tools for gaining insight and clarity.

Shift Your Focus

When discouragement hits, it’s easy to become fixated on what’s not working.  But this mindset can trap you in a cycle of negativity.  Instead, shift your focus to what is going well. Celebrate your strengths and past successes, no matter how small.  Use them as steppingstones to rebuild momentum and boost your confidence. Revisit this challenging area with a fresh perspective, and you might find new solutions that you previously overlooked.

Connect with Your “Why”

In moments of doubt, reconnect with your core purpose. Why did you set out on this path in the first place?  How does this goal align with your larger vision for your life?  Keep asking “why” until you reach the deepest reason behind your pursuit.  If you discover that your “why” no longer supports your goal, it might be time to adjust or even abandon it.  There’s no shame in redirecting your efforts toward something more meaningful.

Identify One Small Step

Overwhelm can paralyze you, but taking even a tiny step forward can reignite your momentum. Identify one small action you can take today, whether it’s enrolling in a class, joining a supportive group, or simply getting more rest.  Sometimes, a change of scenery or a short break can work wonders in restoring your energy and perspective.  Remember, progress is made one step at a time!

Visualize Doing the Work

Visualization is a powerful tool used by athletes and high achievers.  Mentally rehearse the challenging tasks ahead of you, imagining yourself navigating them with confidence.  By the time you face these challenges in real life, your brain will already be familiar with the process, making the tasks feel less daunting and more achievable.

Let Go of the Outcome

While it’s important to have goals, becoming too attached to a specific outcome can create unnecessary stress and disappointment.  Stay open to new possibilities and be willing to adapt your plans as needed.  Sometimes, what seems like a setback can redirect you toward a better path - one you may not have considered initially.  Reflect on past experiences where things didn’t go as planned but ultimately led to something better.

Consider EFT Tapping

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping can be an effective way to release stress and gain clarity.  Spend a few minutes tapping while focusing on the issue that’s causing you discouragement.  This simple practice can help you relax, clear your mind, and reframe your perspective. Check out my YouTube video on how to use tapping to overcome discouragement.

Keep Going

This journey through discouragement reminds me of the children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.  In the story, a family sets out on an imaginary adventure to find a bear, only to encounter various obstacles - tall grass, a river, thick mud, a dark forest, and a snowstorm.  Each time, they realize “We can’t go over it.  We can’t go under it.  Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!”  Remember this simple message: Keep going. You can get through this! As Confucius wisely said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”