Turning Setbacks Into Strategic Comebacks

Why difficult weeks often precede defining ones

I remember one particular Friday—years ago now—when I hit a low point.

Back then, I was running my former consulting business.

And that week had been brutal.

A client who had verbally agreed to a proposal pulled out unexpectedly.

Several payments were delayed.

Key meetings fell through.

And one of my strongest client sponsors left their firm—threatening an entire stream of work.

It felt like a perfect storm.

Worse, it all seemed out of my control.

That Friday, I found myself slipping into worst-case thinking.

And for a moment, I honestly feared the business might not survive.

What I learned from that week

Over time, I realised this wasn’t a one-off.

It was part of the journey.

Because this is what most entrepreneurial consultants face:

Setbacks that test your resolve, challenge your mindset, and force you to regroup.

But here’s the key shift I’ve come to believe in:

Setbacks aren’t the end.

They’re signals.

They show you where to fortify and grow.

Two pillars that make the difference

There are two areas I now build into every client's strategy to weather setbacks:

A. Proactive planning

If you're too reliant on one client, one channel, or one offer—you’re exposed.

Build margin. Diversify your client base.

And stay connected to a wider network.

One client I recently worked with had 80% of their revenue tied to one firm.

We restructured her positioning and pipeline, and within months, she’d secured three new anchor clients.

The result?

• More stability.

• More breathing room/

• More confidence.

B. Cultivating a resilient mindset

Here are seven practices that help you stay grounded when things get wobbly:

1. Reflect on past wins. Remind yourself what you’ve overcome.

2. Stay vision-focused. Long-term goals give short-term setbacks perspective.

3. Practice gratitude. It shifts your attention from problems to progress.

4. Get outside perspectives. Others can see what you’ve stopped noticing.

5. Use mindfulness. Even a few deep breaths can reset your nervous system.

6. Celebrate progress. Track small wins. They add up.

7. Stay connected. Your peers and mentors are lifelines, not luxuries.

In summary

You’re not alone in facing difficult weeks.

They don’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

They’re simply part of the cycle — and often precede breakthroughs.

So if you’re in one now, hold steady.

Use it.

And know that the setbacks you navigate today could be the story that inspires someone else tomorrow.

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