.png)
FROM SETBACK TO COMEBACK: 7 Steps to Turning Challenges into Your Greatest Breakthrough
- Valarie Harris
- May 1
- 3 min read
Let’s get real for a minute—setbacks hit hard. Whether you’re facing a personal delay, a professional detour, or an emotional disappointment, it’s easy to feel stuck, lost, or even question your purpose. But as Dr. Valarie Harris passionately shared on her latest “Real Talk with Dr. Val” livestream, your setback isn’t the end of your story—it’s the setup for your comeback.
Through her experience launching “Stepping Out with Purpose” and helping countless women leaders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring changemakers, Dr. Val has distilled the art of bouncing back (and forward!) into a powerful, faith-driven roadmap. Here’s how you can reframe and rise from any setback, using the wisdom and warmth she poured into her message.
1. See the Setback as a Setup
First things first—change your perspective. “Sometimes the detour in your plans is a divine direction,” Dr. Val reminds us. Just because things aren’t going your way doesn’t mean your plans are over. Sometimes, a delay is God’s protection or preparation for something much better. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” try shifting to “How is this happening for me?”
2. Focus on the Lesson, Not the Loss
Every disappointment comes with a lesson, like a hidden nugget of wisdom waiting for you to discover. Don’t get fixated on what you lost or how things went wrong. Instead, ask: “What am I learning from this?” Turn your setbacks into a school of wisdom, and let each so-called failure offer you valuable feedback for the future.
3. Own Your Emotions—Don’t Let Them Own You
It’s natural to feel disappointment, confusion, or hurt. Dr. Val advises that while it’s important to acknowledge and sit with those emotions, we should not let them define or control us. Healing isn’t denial; it’s about direction—feel what you need to feel, and then intentionally shift your mindset. Your feelings are valid, but they’re not your final destination.
4. Rewrite Your Self-Talk
Words hold power. The way you talk to yourself can either keep you stuck or propel you forward. Dr. Val suggests replacing negative self-talk with affirmations of growth and possibility. Instead of, “I can’t believe I messed up again,” try, “I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m moving forward.” Remember: words are seeds, so plant what you want to grow.
5. Zoom Out to See the Bigger Picture
Sometimes, a setback feels overwhelming simply because you’re too close to the problem. Take a step back and try to see things from a higher perspective. Your current position isn’t your final destination. Delay is not denial—it might just be a divine alignment for something greater than you can see right now.
6. Turn the Test into a Testimony
Your struggle isn’t just about you. Someone needs to hear your story to find hope or breakthrough in their own journey. Share your testimony—how you overcame, what you learned, and why you didn’t give up. Your comeback becomes a blueprint for someone else’s victory.
7. Take the Next Small Step
Progress doesn’t always look like a giant leap. As Dr. Val shared, sometimes it’s simply the courage to keep moving. What’s one small thing you can do today to move forward? Don’t wait for perfect conditions—take action now, and let every tiny win build your momentum.
Bringing It All Together
Don’t let a setback keep you stuck. Your path to resilience, leadership, and legacy starts with a mindset shift and a willingness to take purposeful steps, no matter how small.
So, what about you? What limiting beliefs has your setback triggered? What truth will you declare instead? Journal about it, talk to someone you trust, or reach out to Dr. Val’s community for support. Remember: “I rise not because I never fail, but because I refuse to stay down. My setback is my setup for greatness.”
Go ahead—step out, step forward, and show the world your comeback story. Your breakthrough begins now.
Join our EmpowerHer 2025 Summit June 21, 2025
Secure Your Spot Today: CLICK HERE
Comments