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The Power of Resilience: Bouncing Back from Disappointment in Business

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Seanice Lojede

Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, especially in business. Whether it's losing a major client, missing out on a tender, or watching a deal fall through, these setbacks can hit hard. But what truly separates those who thrive in the face of adversity from those who falter is their ability to bounce back - and bounce back quickly.

Resilience in business is much like building muscle. Scientific evidence shows that, just like physical strength, your brain develops coping mechanisms through repeated exposure to difficult situations. The more you train your mind to handle disappointment, the faster and more effectively you'll recover.

Take, for example, two business professionals—let's call them Person A and Person B - who both face the same crushing news: they’ve lost their biggest client. This client was their cash cow, and now their revenue stream has taken a serious hit.

Person A’s Reaction: The Downward Spiral

Person A reacts in a way that many of us might find relatable. They feel disappointed, sad, and dejected. It’s a natural response. But if Person A has unresolved emotional baggage, perhaps stemming from a complicated background or childhood, the disappointment hits deeper. Feelings of abandonment or rejection might surface, amplifying the emotional weight of the situation.

As a result, Person A could fall into a mild depressive state. This emotional fog might last for days, during which they’re unable to focus on work or notice new opportunities. Their energy levels drop, their mood deteriorates, and this starts affecting their personal relationships, whether with friends, a spouse, or colleagues. In this scenario, the prolonged sadness not only impacts their business decisions but also their overall health and well-being.

Person B’s Reaction: The Bounce Back

Now, let’s consider Person B. Like Person A, they also feel triggered by the loss of the client and have similar complex emotional experiences. However, Person B has invested time in self-development. They’ve developed the emotional tools to cope with disappointment more effectively. Techniques like deep breathing, reframing their perspective, and telling themselves that “everything happens for me, not to me” are part of their toolkit.

Armed with these strategies, Person B might feel the disappointment initially, but they recover quickly. Instead of a downward spiral, they manage to take a step back, go for a walk, and regain their focus within a couple of hours. They shift their energy from lamenting the loss to exploring new business opportunities or seeking out solutions. Their bounce-back time is exponentially faster than Person A’s, allowing them to maintain momentum and seize new chances while they’re still fresh.

My Personal Journey

This idea of bouncing back hit home for me today. I had a personal disappointment when a friend I had depended on let me down. It hurt so much that my first instinct was to numb the pain by diving into Netflix and zoning out. But instead of avoiding the feeling, I chose to sit with it. I did somatic work—tuning into my body and allowing myself to fully experience the emotion until it passed.

That process, although difficult, led me to a moment of clarity and ultimately to writing this article. It’s ironic because helping people navigate through challenges is my life’s purpose, and sometimes we need to live through our own disappointments to remind us why we're on this path. By embracing my feelings, I was able to turn a tough moment into an opportunity to offer something of value to someone else.

The Importance of Mental Flexibility

The difference between Person A and Person B isn’t luck or circumstance—it’s mental flexibility. Those who have practiced dealing with disappointment are able to adjust their emotional state more rapidly. This flexibility not only preserves their mental health but also allows them to stay agile in business. The key takeaway here is that resilience can be built, just like any other skill. With practice and the right techniques, setbacks that once seemed devastating can be managed and recovered from in a matter of hours.

In a world where business is full of ups and downs, those who can build this resilience muscle will find themselves not only surviving but thriving, no matter the obstacles thrown their way.---

The Business Impact of Resilience

In today's dynamic business environment, the ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks is more than a personal asset - it's a competitive advantage. Resilient leaders and teams can:

  • Adapt more quickly to market changes

  • Maintain productivity in the face of challenges

  • Foster a positive company culture

  • Identify and seize opportunities that others might miss

Quick Hacks on how to Bounce Back 

  • Tell yourself "This is happening for me' even if I cannot see how right now

  • Take a walk in nature

  • Do the 4-7-8 breathing technique breathe in for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds, and exhale loudly for 8 seconds. This breathing pattern reduces anxiety

  • Learn and practice somatic work - don't distract yourself from negative feelings, sit with them until they subside - it's hard but IT WORKS!

  • P.S If you'd like more regular tips like the above, sign up here  -----> https://bit.ly/Seanice


Seanice Lojede is the founder of BLU Flamingo Africa, a pan-African tech-enabled integrated marketing communications company headquartered in South Africa, with branches in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. With a master’s degree in digital marketing and as an alumna of the prestigious Stanford Seed program, Seanice is a tech-savvy marketing leader whose data-driven strategies and cutting-edge marketing technologies have helped global companies crack the Sub-Saharan African market. Her recent accolade as the South African Woman of Stature Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 is a testament to her multifaceted talents and her unwavering drive to succeed.

In Guest Blog Tags Seanice Lojede, Resilience
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