Defeat can suck. However, if you adopt the right attitude, that defeat will only impact you for a moment before you move forward with action. It is often said that you can judge one’s character by the way they accept defeat. Therefore, we’ll provide 5 ways to confront defeat with grace:

1. Accept it: It happened. So what? You have the power to let it impact you for days or for a few hours or not at all. It happens to everyone hundreds of times throughout their life.
2. Learn from it: Instead of looking at losing as a failure, accept it as a challenge to better your craft. Competition should not be about others but yourself. You can opt to use the defeat to better or lose yourself. It’s your choice.
3. Moving forward: Set your sights on a new goal. As rapper Jay Z would say, move “on to the next”. Create new challenges for yourself. If you experienced a big defeat, set your sights on smaller goals until you complete the bigger picture. However, any accomplished journey comes from small steps, so keep moving.
4. Emulate: How have your role models/ idols dealt with defeat? There are many successful ways to cope with it. Discover the ways in which someone that you admire chose to handle their defeat. It’s likely that their solution could work for you too.
5. Distraction: Instead of letting self-doubt and negativity occupy your mind, put your attention somewhere else. Volunteer or spend time helping someone else get over their problems. These activities can additionally do wonders for your self-esteem.
6. Image: Do you really want to look like these big babies? (see videos below)

So, how will you decide to handle defeat? Hopefully, not like these sore losers did below.

General Motors was an indication that the economy was hurting big-time when it filed for bankruptcy. Analysts alluded that its failure was inevitable. Competitors like Ford and Toyota were gaining favorable market share and press. GM seemed like it would be toast. But, then something else happened: it moved forward.

The company has endured the restructuring period, and it seems that they’re doing rather well. GM received over $6 billion dollars from the government in stimulus money. They put the money to use in operations, while also cutting all the fat and dead meat away from their company. The Detroit Free Press reports that their third quarter earnings are well above their projections. They are even optimistic about repaying their federal loan off by next year.

Lessons Learned

GM seems to be on the recovery from its past mistakes. Their efforts are still being made, but it seems that they have been already reaping the benefits of them. Their cash reserves have increased. They have gained decent market share. Furthermore, they proved the naysayers that they were capable of redemption.

It goes to show that failure doesn’t have to define you. Even if you fail, you can try again, as failures can provide valuable insight towards your next successful step. There’s nothing than one cannot do if they put their mind to it. GM used its brainpower to concoct a successful recovery plan. Should you come across a setback or failure, make sure to get up and keep going. Cut the things that don’t work and brainstorm new tactics. Like GM, your success could be just around the corner.

*Image courtesy of Feng Zhao.