Stressed and overworked businesswoman crouching in the office hallway
How can I take a bad experience [like covid-19] and flip it as a creative entrepreneur? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Rachel Rai Henry, founder, speaker, and Creative Flow educator, on Quora:
When something bad happens in our lives, especially involving our work, it can make us feel a multitude of negative emotions. However, it’s up to us to change our perspective and view the situation in a new light.
I recently contracted Covid-19 and was forced to be still, unplug, rest and recharge. This affected my business during a very busy holiday season and, unfortunately, I was not able to meet a crucial deadline.
Instead of feeling bad for myself and making excuses, I decided to reach out to my client and take ownership by creating a solution that, while still delayed, exceeded their expectations. This quick pivot demonstrated how valuable their business is to me.
Every experience is a learning experience. It might sound cliché, but once you take this statement to heart, you’ll have an easier time dealing with tough situations.
Throughout this particular instance, I remembered how imperative it is to revise my contingency plans for when life happens. After all, it always does! The most successful business are those that prepare for the challenges by addressing blind spots and developing a plan for fast, efficient change.
It’s important to actively attempt to shift your viewpoint when problems arise. Instead of blaming yourself, or ruminating on all the ways this situation could have gone, consider it a new starting point. Count each lesson you have gained through adverse experiences to identify red flags earlier.
Another thing that is imperative to keep in mind when trying to shift your viewpoint? Stop taking negative experiences personally. It’s easy to feel like a bad situation is all your fault, or that this was a sign you aren’t ready. As creative entrepreneurs, one collective problem we deal with is learning how to realize that our worth is not dependent on our successes or failures.
No, we cannot change what has already happened, but we can choose how to move forward. Now, that’s growth for you!
This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
