Friday 10 October 2008

MANAGING DISAPPOINTMENT

Disappointment- one of the most common human experiences-not quite so untouchable

A superficial definition of disappointment is the feeling of not getting something targeted, but the phenomenon goes deeper. When what we want is very important and valuable to us disappointment can become significant.

There are two common understandable misconceptions related to disappointment
1.World Loves only winners
2.Disappointment is a bad emotion and it should never be shown

But the truth is that disappointment does not equal failure.
Seen in a positive light, it can stimulate learning and growth.

When you feel disappointed, you can either seek a comfort or seek a solution.
The best approach includes some of the both.
First step back, stop what you are doing, and try to obtain some comfort- but don’t get trapped into staying comfortable.

Having licked or otherwise healed your wounds, prepare for another effort based on a new solution to the problem.

Going straight for the solution without being comforted can also be a trap- workaholism, for example putting long efforts that produce few results, besides it is healthier to confront and release your disappointment, together with any rage or anger that came with it

To resolve disappointment the following tips would surely help
  • Talk about disappointment with someone intelligent and caring- and whom you can trust to keep your confidence
  • Deal with how you really feel by writing down your feelings. Don’t bottle up your anger if that is what you feel; let is spill out on paper.
  • Talk with people who have also know disappointment. Find out how they dealt with it and what they learned.
  • Read about gifted leaders who suffered setbacks. How did they handle them?

What universal principles can you find to apply to your own situations?

BELIEVE THAT SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS NOT THAT FAILURE BREEDS FAILURE

Please see failure more as fertilizer to be used to enrich the soil of your mind where the seeds of success must be planted


Failures and disappointment are to be used only as corrective feedback can help getting back on target

1 comment:

cheena (சீனா) said...

Dear Mouli,

Its really a great post. How to manage failures rather disappointment ?

Yes we normally reach this stage quite often. Why ? - Our Expectations are more / We have not planned properly to achive what we want / Atmoshphere is not conducive and what not

//But the truth is that disappointment does not equal failure //

//BELIEVE THAT SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS NOT THAT FAILURE BREEDS FAILURE//

I love these lines - Clear understanding of failures and disappointments

Thanks for the post

Regards
cheena