What are the most effective ways to stay positive when your creative business is facing setbacks?

The one lesson a life in advertising teaches you very well is 'how to rise from the ashes'. Creatives and ideas are rejected internally, and by clients. And this happens time and time again. It takes a lot of resilience to come back with a better idea. You're running a creative business? It's bound to face headwinds. Time and time again. So what can you do when you face rejection? Here's what I do. I vacate my creative thinker's throne, and wear a business owner's hat. I start thinking about my business's cash flows, and plugging in my revenue gaps. I start looking at a particular problem and work on solutions to solve it. If you're running a creative business, learn the patience and prudence of a business owner. It's what I did.

The first and the most essential step : Acceptance, which is easier said than done. It is easy to accept wins, no matter how big or small, but, it is extremely difficult to accept the losses with a positive mindset. And it is natural. So, to move forward, you can : ->Firstly, sit down and try to accept what you feel. ->Acknowledge and respect your feelings. ->Next, analyse both the areas of rectification and success. ->Formulate strategies for rectifying your mistakes mindfully and pat yourself on the back for the journey you have made this far. ->Never forget to celebrate and respect your own self. ->Change is the only constant. Remember it.

Running a startup can be stressful to founders especially in the beginning. Maintaining a therapeutic practice like noting down our thoughts, feelings and labelling them as helpful or unhelpful when we are faced with stressful situations can help. That way we develop basic awareness of our mind around challenging situations and see our thinking patterns that lead to suffering. We can then use calming techniques like breathing and mindfulness meditation to help us generate calmer and more balanced thoughts and feelings. We can do this daily and make us more prepared for the next day.

Before starting a creative business, separate yourself from it. Once it's a business, it has its own lifecycle and destiny. The more you treat it like your 'baby' the hurtful it will be if/when it fails. Practice detachment.

To stay positive amid creative business setbacks: - Reflect on Past Successes: Remind yourself of the obstacles you've overcome and the successes you've achieved. - Set Small, Achievable Goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller ones to gain momentum with quick wins. - Seek Support: Connect with mentors, peers, or a supportive community for advice and encouragement. - Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being and mental health. - Stay Flexible: Be willing to pivot and adapt your strategies based on what you learn from setbacks. - Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and reward even the small advancements towards your goals.

There’s something badass about owning your failures, especially the ones stemming from beliefs you hold dear. It’s a sign of courage and integrity. When a setback is a result of standing your ground on something you fiercely believe in, wear it like a badge of honor. It’s better than a success that feels hollow.

Sometimes plans change. Thats okay - lots of things change. If you're hitting a setback right now, chances are you can adapt and change too. Its when your beliefs are tested and your grit can grow. You won't get stronger sitting on the couch - you won't be successful without setbacks and challenges.

It's important to have what I call a "curious detachment" from your work. You need to think of it as something that is separate from you. If your friend were to come to you with a problem, what would you say to them? There is a term for this called "Solomon's Paradox" where we find it easier to solve someone else's problem than ours. So we have to start training our brain to think of our problem as not ours, rather someone else's who is coming to us with it.

It’s a journey, not a sprint. Don’t just glance over your shoulder; take a long look back to see how far you’ve come over the years. It’s about the bigger picture, not the temporary hiccups. Those milestones from 2-3 years back? They are your fuel

The simple, yet effective thing we've implemented at XRay.tech is simply a #achievements channel. People put small things on there, like a mile walk, or huge things like a 6 figure renewal. No achievement is too small to take a second to recognize.

Stoicism talks a lot about the importance of practicing daily gratitude. It's incredibly crucial to do this not just with yourself, but also with your team. Even if you finish a routine task in a week (e.g. sending out a newsletter), celebrate that by posting a small message on your team's WhastApp/Slack channel.

This is SO important. My mentor doesn't just celebrate his success, but the success of everyone around him. So that way, he has something to be happy about every single day! It's important that we acknowledge we can't do it alone -- and be open with those around us about not just the good parts of running a creator business, but also the hard parts of it.

This helps me the most. I've observed that the farther I am from my community in terms of engagement, the more burnt out I feel. Once I connect with them, be it via posts, comments or LIVE sessions, I feel more inspired to make content. In a way, their feedback gives a purpose and keeps us going.

Cutting out the buzz around a topic is hard. You can't build community with headlines. Instead, do the things that don't scale. DM real people, ask honest questions, and connect, share, and learn from peers. Its that easy. Next thing you know, a few years go by, and your community show up in person. Maybe at a conference, maybe at a bar. But it all starts with a simple 👋 hello!

Especially in times when physical distances have grown, the virtual community is your go-to place. Sharing a common purpose or struggle forms a bond stronger than Super Glue. It’s not just about networking; it’s about forming a battalion that marches together through the ups and downs.

This is THE most important step but often undermined. A content creator's journey is full of distractions, tempting ones. Fame, glory, money - you name it and there's a high chance thousands of creators would have gotten derailed from their goals because of it. All it takes to get back on track is an introspection of why you started. The goal could have changed, but reflect on whether the changed goal is making you feel alive. Choose a goal that inspires you and doesn't feel like work. You'll be 10x energetic to make content if your goal aligns with your values.

Start with your why. Why do you do what you do? Why does it light you up? Why does it matter to you and to your audience? Then go deeper? Why does it matter for your finances, for your future, for your relationships. Keep asking why and go a few levels deep. Then put 1-2 sentences on a 3 x 5 card and put it up on your bathroom mirror or at your desk. When you're down, focus on WHY you do what you do, and it becomes a lot easier to recover from set backs. Then, with your Why in hand, you can create goals that help you get there. Make decisions from your goals and not your fears. Create a 3 month short term goal and 2 or 3, twelve month goals. And don't fear the setbacks, they're teachers. Teachers that get you back to your purpose.

It’s a gentle reminder of the good amidst the chaos. But, hey, it’s also essential to acknowledge that it’s okay to feel not okay. You’re human. And even if things tumble down, it’s not the apocalypse. You’ll wake up the next day, dust off, and get back on the horse. Practicing this acceptance along with gratitude is like having your emotional first-aid kit.

Here's what I follow to stay positive when your creative business faces setbacks, you can: - Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Enjoy the journey of creating something, not the results or feedback. - Learn from your failures and mistakes. See them as opportunities to grow and improve. Ask yourself what you can do better next time. - Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded people. Seek advice, feedback, or encouragement from other creative entrepreneurs. Join online communities, forums, or groups related to your niche or industry.