7 Tips To Move Forward After A Major Setback -- The Ultimate Freelancer Hacks You Need To Succeed

2019 has been so hard I never thought about getting up. Yes, I almost gave up but here I am, starting a new blog.

So if you’re feeling like your life has knocked you down this year, don’t worry. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I am here to help you -- or at least help you realize that “if you hit rock bottom, the only way is up.”

Failure And Setback

Failures are bound to happen anytime, no matter how careful you are. However, that doesn’t mean that you should expect it or let yourself hang on to it because the more you let it consume you, the harder it is to get back on track.

So instead of lingering on to this negative feeling, try to consider these tips to get yourself back after a fall.

Disclaimer: I know that there will be harder times… or times when smiling is almost impossible. It’s okay to feel down. It’s okay to acknowledge what you are feeling. It’s okay to procrastinate and just cry for a while. What’s not okay is to give up. 

7 Tips To Move Forward After A Setback

Tip #1: Don’t Panic

Lost another client lately? Income is not enough to cover unexpected expenses? Or things are not going your way? Relax. I know this is easier said than done because most of the time, I panic a lot to the point that I feel my heart skip a bit.

But I learned two things: one, it’s normal and two, it won’t help.

So, before you lose your cool, be sure to take a deep breath so you have a clearer mind. If this doesn’t work, go out for a walk, sip a cup of coffee, or meditate -- do whatever works to keep you calm.

This may not solve your problem in an instant but it will definitely increase your chance to find better solutions for your dilemma.

Tip #2: Learn To Embrace Failure

It’s been almost three years since I started working as a freelancer. I’ve gained clients, most of which pay a really good amount but until now, I am broke. Yes, it’s hard to admit but I wanted to be transparent to my readers.

Working online is easy and it’s true, freelancers can earn more than they expected considering that they have the right skills and mindset. However, if you have poor money-management skills (like me), it’s useless.

I’ve failed to save again and the failure took a toll on my mental health. But then I realized that it won’t get any better unless I changed my mindset. Yes, I’ve failed… more than a dozen times and I’ll have more failures in the future but instead of letting it consume me, I’ll embrace and learn from it.

As with my finances, I still suck at managing it BIG TIME but I’ve learned from it and hopefully, I’ll be able to share my financial journey with you soon.

Tip #3: Keep Moving Forward

One of my favorite lines from a Disney cartoon says: Keep Moving Forward -- and I take these words by heart.

Sometimes, I forget about it but after clearing my mind, I know I have only one thing left to do: to keep moving forward.

While it’s important to figure out the reasons for your setback, this might only waste your time, effort, and energy. So instead of doing this, I just… wait for it… keep moving forward.

Tip #4: Seek Help

Long ago, I don’t believe in seeking help. I thought the only person I need to figure things out is myself. Turned out, I was wrong.

After a year of working online, I don’t see any progress in my skills and income and that’s when I started taking online courses. I started as a content writer and now, I’m a social media manager and an SEO specialist.

After 10 years of struggling with mental health, I seek professional help. I was disappointed with my first consultation through but I have to admit, it enlightened me somehow. I still struggle, a lot of times, but I know that I need someone, a professional, to help me understand what I’m going through.

My point is, whatever kind of failure you’re dealing with, you need help. Look for a mentor who can give honest feedback; a mentor who will listen to you sincerely and encourage you to stand up again.

Tip #5: Create The Right Mindset

A positive attitude and mindset go a long way and although we’ve been hearing this a lot, it works! If you lose a client or you haven’t found one after months of sending proposals, it might be time to change your mindset and implement a positive attitude.

Having the right mindset is important as it helps you believe that you have control over your ability and destiny.

Tip #6: Look For Opportunities

Can you really find opportunities in failures? I guess it’s hard… unless you’re positive. “See a silver lining,” as what Ms. Universe 2018 Catriona Gray once said.

No clients after sending tons of proposals? Take the time of being unemployed for a while to learn new skills or upgrade your resume.

Huge income but no savings? Take this opportunity to learn more about how you can handle your finances better in 2020.

The thing is, it might not be clear to you now but as long as you keep an open mind, you will be able to see opportunities in every struggle.

Tip #7: Get Excited About The Future

If there’s one thing that keeps my sanity together, other than my son, of course, it’s my excitement about the future.

How do I do this, you ask? I keep a journal with me and I make sure to write my goals for 2020. I write about other things, too, such as my projected income and expenses, my plans, staycation goals, etc.

These things help me put my attention toward the future. For instance, I may be in debt right now but if I follow my budget, I’ll be able to pay it all after a couple of months or so. At least, there’s hope.

Getting yourself up after a major setback might seem impossible, especially if you know that you’re not the only one who’s affected. However, with the right mindset and attitude, you can survive this. Also, don’t forget to plan and anticipate any setback as this will help you avoid this or at least reduce the damage.

Lastly, learn from your mistakes. It’s okay to fail and make a thousand mistakes as long as you learn from it.

I hope you learned something from this today and if you like it, don’t forget to put a comment below and share this post.

Cheers!