Inhale, Exhale, Success

When Business Plans Fail: How to Turn Setbacks into Setups for Success

Dee Medina Episode 21

Ever felt like everything that could go wrong...does? From missed goals to unexpected challenges, setbacks can leave you questioning everything. But what if these moments could actually push you closer to your vision?

In this episode, we dive into:
- Why setbacks are a normal part of the journey
- How to shift from frustration to focused action
- My go-to framework to turn obstacles into new opportunities

Tune in to discover how to handle setbacks, stay motivated, and move forward with confidence. Let’s turn those roadblocks into stepping stones!

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Dee understands how running a business can be super stressful, especially for moms. Her 1:1 coaching helps you juggle it all without sacrificing yourself or the things you love. Clients have reduced their stress by 50% and doubled their revenue after working with Dee. Schedule your call here to see how Dee can help you reclaim your time easily!

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**Disclaimer:** This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any mental health concerns.

Have you ever had one of those days where everything you planned just falls apart? Maybe a launch didn’t go as expected, a client backed out at the last minute, or you tried something new, and it completely flopped. It’s not hard to feel discouraged, right? You’re showing up, putting in the work, yet the results aren’t lining up. It makes you question, “Am I doing something wrong?” or “Should I throw in the towel?” If you’ve been there, keep listening, because today we’re talking about how to stay motivated and keep pushing forward, even when your plans hit a wall.

Welcome to the Inhale, Exhale, Success Podcast, where we help women entrepreneurs create a life they love, feel confident in their bodies, and build a business without burning out, by equipping them with the best tools, strategies, and my proven formula. Every businesswoman needs this. My name is Dee Medina. Let’s get started and be successful together.

Hola, hola! Welcome back to another episode. Today, we’re diving into something so relatable for all of us: when things don’t go according to plan, the emotional toll it can take, and how to bounce back. If you’re in business, then you know these moments are part of the journey. We’ve all been there—when you’re full of energy, your vision is clear, and you’ve got everything mapped out perfectly. It feels like this time, you’ve got it all figured out, right? But then, reality happens. 

Maybe your vendor pulls out, the tech for your presentation crashes, or the budget you thought was solid suddenly falls short. Or maybe your kid got sick a few days before the big event. You start with high hopes, and then bam, one thing after another starts going sideways. That well-planned launch? It doesn’t hit the numbers you expected. Or maybe you poured $20,000, $30,000, or even $40,000 into expanding your business, only for the location to fall through because of some permit issue. It’s frustrating and disheartening, and you feel like you’re taking one step forward only to be yanked five steps back. 

And when that happens, you start questioning yourself. “Am I doing something wrong? Should I just go back to my 9-to-5?” And honestly, we don’t talk enough about the emotional side of the setbacks we face. So, let’s remind ourselves that setbacks are normal in business. 

I know some of you are probably out there trying to make big moves, like expanding your business, maybe investing tens of thousands into a new venue space. You’ve signed contracts, you’re ready to go, and then—bam! The city denies your permits. Maybe it’s a zoning issue, or just bureaucracy. Suddenly, all those dreams you built around this one plan feel like they’re crumbling. All the money, time, and effort seem like they were for nothing. It’s a gut punch, and it’s so easy to feel like it’s personal, like the universe is working against you. 

If you’re in that moment right now, here’s what I want you to remember: setbacks are not a reflection of your worth or ability to succeed. They don’t mean your vision is wrong, and they definitely don’t mean you should give up. More often than not, these setbacks are redirecting you to something even better. It’s about recognizing that these moments are part of the entrepreneurial journey. Every single entrepreneur, whether they’ve been at it for a year or ten, has faced moments like this. The difference is in how you respond to them.

When setbacks hit, it’s easy to get attached to the outcome. You were so focused on that dream location, or that product launch, that it’s hard to imagine a different path forward. But here’s the thing: Why are we so attached to one specific vision of success? What if this setback is an opportunity to adapt and pivot? When my clients come to me feeling burned out and frustrated, I have them take a step back and re-evaluate. I’ll ask, “What was so important about this location or plan?” and we’ll start brainstorming new options. Maybe there’s a location with better foot traffic, or a venue with more flexible regulations.

If you’ve got connections, use them. When I connect clients to my real estate network, they often discover places that are not only more affordable but actually better suited for their long-term growth. That initial setback turns into a breakthrough, because they allowed themselves to shift. Your vision doesn’t have to change, but the path you take to get there might. 

So, are you focusing on the short-term loss, or are you looking at the big picture? It’s so easy to get caught up in that initial sting of disappointment, but ask yourself, “What’s the long-term goal here?” Often, what seems like a dead-end is actually opening doors to better opportunities. The city denying your permit? It wasn’t the end of your business expansion; it was a chance to pivot to something even better.

Now, if you’re feeling that emotional toll, I want to share with you a simple framework I teach inside my program. It’s a powerful way to handle setbacks without feeling overwhelmed. First, let’s simplify the problem. When things go wrong (and I’m doing air quotes here), it usually feels like everything’s falling apart, but it’s often just one issue. Focus on that one issue, whether it’s a permit or a client issue. 

Next, time it. Give yourself a set amount of time to figure things out. Don’t let setbacks linger over your head. Having a deadline prevents analysis paralysis. It’s like saying, “Alright, I’ve got a week to sort this out, then I’m moving forward.” Then we go into evaluate and adjust. Maybe you need a small tweak, or maybe it’s time to reach out to your network. Flexibility here keeps you moving, even if the original plan didn’t work. 

Finally, pause. Take a step back and refresh. After a hit, sometimes we need a moment to breathe and reset. This doesn’t mean your previous moves weren’t smart. It just means you’re responding intentionally rather than reacting in the heat of the moment. 

This STEP framework is all about turning setbacks into setups for success. You’re not just fixing a problem; you’re creating a stronger path forward. And I get it. You might be thinking, “Dee, I don’t have time for setbacks. I just lost $40k!” That $40k isn’t a loss; it’s an investment. You still have the vision, the people, the resources. It’s not about starting over; it’s about using what you already built and tweaking your strategy. 

Setbacks don’t have to define your journey. The difference between those who succeed and those who stop is in how they respond. So, use my STEP framework—Simplify, Time it, Evaluate, and Pause. Move from frustration to focus, from setback to success.

Remember, those moments that didn’t work out can be the turning point to get you where you’re meant to be. And if you’re ready to push past the frustration and turn that setback into success, join me for one-on-one coaching. Let’s create that path forward together. 

Thank you for joining me on the Inhale, Exhale, Success podcast. If you enjoyed today’s topic, please subscribe so you don’t miss other valuable discussions. I’ll see you next week. And remember, success begins when you take a moment to breathe, find your balance, and believe in yourself.