When the Plan Shifts: Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones
- Caroline Montgomery
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
You had a plan.
Maybe it was to land the perfect job, create a successful business, or be married by 28 and have two kids.
Whatever it may be, we all have dreams, aspirations, and goals we set for ourselves.
But sometimes things can get in the way and it feels like a big slap to the face.
If you have not read the book Embrace your Almost, by Jordan Lee Dooley she calls this season of life our almost.
Jordan defines it as when “you are so close to accomplishing something great or reaching a milestone you have dreamed of, only to end up face down on the ground, just short of where you expected or hoped to be”.
If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone!
A study from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, found that 3,499 female respondents have fallen short of their career goals, suffered from lower levels of purpose in life and higher levels of depression.
That's why it's so important to address and navigate these feelings.
Falling short of reaching something does not mean it has to be the end.
Here are three ways to overcome those setbacks and embrace your almost:
Reflecting on the Why Behind your Goal
The next time something does not go as planned, reflect on why you want it? This can help you stay focused on what matters most and remind you of the purpose in seeking that goal in the first place.
Seeking Growth in the Setback
Instead of viewing the setback as a roadblock, look for a way through it that helps you grow. Jordan defines this moment perfectly as “rejection is just redirection”. She explains how her setbacks “have been refined-or redefined-through the fire of rejections, restarts, and redirections”. In a way, I feel like we all can relate to this.
For me specifically, I struggle with confidence. This month, I have had the opportunity to attend weekly meetings with a group of strong, inspiring, and uplifting women called FIERCE (Females in Entrepreneurial Roles Creating Empowerment) . Through this opportunity, I have been able to build and grow in my confidence by stepping out of my comfort zone.
(If you are a woman in Harnett County or surrounding areas, I definitely recommend checking this group out!)
Visualizing your Future
We all have dreams, goals, and aspirations! Create a vision board or keep a reminder of your dreams where you will see it often. One of the ladies, from the FIERCE group shared with me that she keeps a photo of her younger self by her mirror. This serves as a powerful reminder of the journey of how far she has come and the journey she is on. Whatever reminder you choose to use, let that vision motivate you during all seasons of life including the good, the bad as well as the almost.
Life does not always go as planned and that is totally okay!
In the moment it may suck.
Sometimes the detour or the redirection is where we find the most growth, community, and a stronger version of ourselves.
Next time you experience a season of almost, take it as a time to redefine success, seek growth and visualize your future!
Confidence isn't just a mindset—it's a practice.
If you're navigating a tough season, you're not alone. Turnaround Wellness supports women in finding mental peace and physical balance through personalized care.
Let’s explore how we can work together.
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References
Carr, Deborah. (1998). The Fulfillment of Career Dreams at Midlife: Does it Matter for Women's Mental Health?. Journal of health and social behavior. 38. 331-44. 10.2307/2955429.
Dooley JL. Embrace Your Almost: Find Clarity and Contentment in the in-Betweens, Not-Quites, and Unknowns. Waterbrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House; 2022.