Maybe a lesson didn't go as you would have liked, you missed out on a promotion, or there’s been a clash with a colleague. It’s frustrating, it's painful and mistakes can be embarrassing. I have been there and experienced all of these. When I finally got a substantive leadership position I sat in my storeroom and cried. I was emotionally exhausted. But here’s the thing: setbacks are part of the deal. How you handle them can make all the difference. So, when things don’t go your way at work, here’s what you can do to bounce back and keep moving forward. Here are a few things to consider:

Take a breather. When things go wrong, it’s easy to get caught up in frustration and rush into action. But jumping into problem-solving mode straight away can just make things worse. Sometimes, all you need is a moment to step back, breathe, and clear your head. Take a quick walk, grab a coffee, or just sit quietly for a few minutes. Once you’ve given yourself a bit of space, you’ll be in a better headspace to deal with the issue calmly and logically.

Try to figure out what went wrong. Take a look at the situation and work out what caused things to go off track. Did you miss something? Was it a miscommunication? Or did circumstances change unexpectedly? It’s easy to get emotional about things that don’t go your way, but try to step back and look at the bigger picture. By understanding what went wrong, you can learn from it and avoid repeating the same mistakes next time.:

Focus on what you can control. There’s no point stressing over things that are out of your hands. Maybe your boss made a decision you didn’t agree with, or the team missed a deadline. Whatever it is, ask yourself, “What can I do something about?” It might be making a quick fix, communicating better next time, or perhaps asking for extra support. Whatever it is, focusing on what’s within your control will give you a sense of power and help you move forward.

Ask for feedback. If things don’t go the way you expected, it’s always good to get a second opinion. Whether it’s from your boss, a teammate, or even a mentor, getting feedback can help you see where things slipped up and what you can do to improve. Approach it with an open mind and don’t get defensive—feedback is an opportunity to learn, not a personal attack. It shows you’re keen to do better and that you’re invested in improving.

Reframe your mindset. Instead of thinking of setbacks as failures, try looking at them as chances to learn and grow. Everyone faces hiccups in their career—it’s how you handle them that counts. Use the experience as a chance to build resilience, develop new skills, or even strengthen your relationships with colleagues. Shifting how you see setbacks can help you bounce back faster and stay positive, even when things don’t go as planned.

Be kind to yourself. It’s easy to beat yourself up when things go wrong, but that’s not going to help. We all slip up now and then—it’s part of being human. So, cut yourself some slack. Give yourself a moment to be disappointed, but then focus on moving forward. Don’t let one setback define you. Taking care of your mental and emotional health is just as important as handling the practical side of things.

At the end of the day, when things don’t go your way at work, it’s all about how you react. Take a moment to process what happened, learn from it, and focus on what you can control. Seek feedback, reframe your mindset, and be compassionate with yourself. Setbacks happen to everyone, but with the right approach, you can turn them into opportunities for growth. And remember, it’s not the end of the road—it’s just a bump along the way. Keep going, and you’ll come out the other side even stronger.