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How to move on from past disappointments and plan for the future

How to move on from past disappointments and plan for the future

Are you wanting to move past your failures and plan for the future, but struggling to look forward? Find out how to move on.

 

Has something gone wrong? Were you expecting a different outcome to what you got and now you’re disappointed? This is a really normal feeling after something or someone has let you down. Whether you’ve failed your driving test, messed up an exam, or a decision you made simply hasn’t gone your way, there are ways to get through it and regain hope for the future.

Take a look at how to move on from past disappointments and smash your goals in the future with these handy tips.

 

1. Remember this is normal
 

No matter who you are or what you do, you will experience failure at some point in your lifetime. If you don’t, then poor you! Because it’s one of the best ways that we can grow and learn as we move through life.

Try to reframe the failure as something that is normal, and could even be a positive thing. Every failure has a silver lining, we simply need to be open to that idea. Maybe you’re being encouraged to take a new path, look at things differently or work on your grit and discipline. Whatever you’re struggling with, try and take this as a learning experience and explain that this is a normal part of being a human being.

 

2. Mourn the lost dream (but not for too long)
 

Whilst it can really help to understand failure in terms of the positives that we can take from it, there also needs to be room for us to mourn lost dreams and goals. When we miss the mark, it can be good to soak in the feelings around that lost goal in order to move onto the next aspiration.

That doesn’t mean we don’t have dreams anymore - far from it! It just means that we’re able to reframe them, change the timelines and smash our new goals after we’re said goodbye to the last ones. Give yourself time to feel sad that something has disappointed you - it’s okay to be emotional. 

Exploring your sad feelings and mourning what has been lost should help you move on and get planning for the future.

 

3. Be kind to yourself
 

You’re only human, and we all fail and encounter disappointments from time to time. Being kind to yourself is essential to moving on and maintaining a positive self image as you do so.

Quit the self trash talk and negative frame of mind and start being kinder to your number one - you! You’re allowed to have rough patches, and you should give yourself some time to get over this disappointment - if that means you avoid whatever it is for a week or so after the initial disappointment that’s okay too.

 

4. Stay determined
 

You have got this! Stay determined and ensure that you keep cracking on with whatever managed to defeat you for this short time. Determination will serve you well, and this could be an amazing opportunity to hone that trait and get the determination muscle working again. Getting back on your feet and being determined again comes after the steps above, when you’re ready to rise again.

So, for example, if you’ve just failed your driving test it might be time to mourn it, be kind to yourself, take a week or so off and then jump back on the bandwagon and plan how you will conquer your driving test next time with a fresh, new determined attitude. 

 

“If at first you don't succeed, try and try again”.

 

5. Find people to help you
 

There are plenty of community services, activities and courses that can help you, whatever your goal is. Finding people who can help you gain the skills to meet your goal, hold you accountable and keep you motivated is crucial to success in the future.

For more information on the services that we offer at PCYC and how we could help you, discover our programs for young people.

 

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