As entrepreneurs, millennials, girl bosses and future leaders, we can expect some days to be harder than others. We will make mistakes. Plans will fail and unexpected circumstances will arise. But you know what they say, “It’s not what happens, it’s how you respond.”

This week I had was hit with one challenge after the other; an unhappy client, a delayed project, a mis-scheduled appointment. But guess what? Success comes with a price tag and stopping is not an option. There are people depending on your ability to do what you do best. So, here are some ways to stay encouraged when inevitable hiccups come your way:

1. Evaluate your mistake(s) – In a perfect world we would never make the same mistake twice. Evaluating does not mean beating yourself up. Take an objective stance and identify what, if anything, you could have done to avoid your current situation. Be realistic and change what you can. See if there is a lesson somewhere amidst the chaos.
2. Look ahead – Once you’ve evaluated it’s time to concentrate on what’s in front of you. What is the best way to rebound from your setback? Identify opportunities you have coming up to shine and PREPARE.
3. Don’t sweat the past – See tip #2. After you’ve evaluated what went wrong there is no reason to dwell on it. Don’t keep reliving a circumstance or situation that doesn’t make you feel good. It will distract you from being proactive. Concentrate on the light ahead not the darkness behind you.
4. Rest and Reset – Some people may fight me on this one but there are times when the only way for me to more forward is to take a nap, light some candles, enjoy a bath and ignore incoming calls and emails. Taking time to settle my anxious nerves allows me to come back with a clear and renewed mindset. For some people this may mean doing something creative like writing in a journal, painting, gardening or listening to music. The point is to take a moment to relax. Goodbye bad vibes, hello bath bombs and lavender roomspray.
5. Remember your why – Speaking of renewed mindsets, there is a reason (or many reasons) you’ve chosen this path or industry. Your “why” will keep you going when the going gets tough.
6. Refocus on your goals – One of the best ways to regain a sense of balance and certainty is to review your goals. Hopefully you have them written somewhere; short term and long term. If not, now is a great time. Maybe your rest and reset will involve a little introspective reflecting because without goals it can be pretty hard to muster up the willpower to push through hard times.
7. Look how far you’ve come – Shift your mind back to your accomplishments. I’m not saying to fluff yourself or over compensate but the challenges you’re experiencing are related to where you are in the journey. And where you are in the journey is further along than you were last year, last month or even last week. “We’ve got a long way to go, but look how far we’ve come.”