>> Why We Have This Emotion
Discouragement slows us down to conserve effort when things haven't gone our way. It prompts us to rethink strategies, seek support, or pivot before we waste any more time or resources.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Name the setback and what you tried
- Shrink the goal to a smaller next step
- Ask a friend, “what am I missing?”
- Ask a mentor for concrete next steps
- Change the strategy, not the dream
- Celebrate your effort and progress
- Avoid focusing only on outcomes
Bad Ideas
- Quit everything after a bad result
- Compare yourself only to experts
- Hide from those who could help
- Pretend you “don't really care”
- Refuse feedback to avoid pain
- Fall into perfection traps
- Lash out at those who are still trying