To put it another way, you don’t always get what you expect. How do you handle a setback? Do you roll with it, or roll over? If you’re someone who prefers to hide under the covers, keep reading to learn how to develop a roll with it attitude.
The key is to tune in to what you’re feeling. Disappointed? Crushed? Ticked off? Name it to tame it, as psychiatrist Dan Siegel would say. Noticing and naming what you’re feeling helps diffuse the charge and lessen the burden. This is emotional intelligence.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that keeping your feelings buried or close to your vest means they’re not impacting you, or others around you. They are. This is why habits like emotional eating can develop. It’s easier to avoid the uncomfortable feeling by numbing it with food, drink, television, work, etc.
The next and more difficult step is to accept what you’re feeling. (Hint. You don’t have to like it to accept it.) As soon as you accept what is, things tend to shift. Now you can make a plan to deal with the setback if you need to.
Now you’re rolling with it.