Everyone deals with discouragement at some point in their life—it’s a part of what makes the human experience rich. Whether it stems from disappointment, failure, or setbacks, it can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. However, instead of letting discouragement take hold, we can learn to minimize the amount of time we allow ourselves to stay discouraged and use these difficult experiences to grow stronger and develop an empowering mindset.

One of the first steps to overcoming discouragement is taking the long view. Often, our expectations don’t align with reality, and this can be a source of discouragement. By taking a step back and relaxing our expectations, we can combat this feeling. Understand that things that are worthwhile often take a lot of effort and time to come to fruition, so be patient.

It’s also important to remember that there is no such thing as failure. When we don’t get the results we want, it’s simply an opportunity to learn and grow. Change your mindset and view failure as a form of education that can help you succeed in the future. With this perspective, there is no reason to feel discouraged.

Another way to combat discouragement is to stay true to your vision and see it again in your mind. If you’re struggling with discouragement, focus on your goals and what you want to create in your life. Visualize the end result and feel what it would feel like to achieve it. By reminding yourself of your vision, you can regain the feeling of empowerment.

Often, it is our ego that gets in the way of our development. Try not to let your ego get in the way of constructive criticism or feedback. When you can internalize this feedback and use it to grow, you will enjoy the rewards of growth, which leads to happiness. By focusing on growth, you can ease discouragement.

It’s easy to get caught up in comparison with others, but this can quickly lead to discouragement. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own unique journey and path. We are all on a unique journey, so try to stay inspired by others without getting bogged down in comparisons.

Similarly, avoiding putting too much emphasis on external rewards can help avoid discouragement. Action should be its own reward. When you love what you do and are motivated by the work itself, you are truly free to focus on the work and make it great. By detaching yourself from external rewards, you can guard against discouragement.

It’s important to change your “rules” for being happy as well. Instead of focusing on external factors, create rules that are within your control. For example, you might have a rule that success is achieved by growth and improvement, rather than external recognition.

Lastly, focusing on self-care can help ease discouragement. Go outside and do things like exercising or engaging in physical activities to generate positive emotions. Talk to a mentor or do a mind map for a plan of action. When all else fails, help someone else. It’s impossible to feel discouraged when you’re helping someone else.

In conclusion, every human being will inevitably face discouragement, but it’s how we deal with it that makes all the difference. By learning from the experience, and minimizing the amount of time that we allow ourselves to stay discouraged, we can use these difficult moments as opportunities for growth and empowerment. With these tips, anyone can combat discouragement and stay on the path towards success.