Blog Post: 5 Tips to Bounce Back After Making a Bad Decision

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Life is full of choices and sometimes, despite our best intentions, those choices don’t lead to the results we hoped for. When that happens, it’s easy to get stuck in regret—but every setback is also an invitation to grow stronger and wiser.

Here’s five tips to help you bounce back after a decision that didn’t go as planned:

1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Mistake

The first step toward moving forward is simply acknowledging what happened—without judgment. Everyone makes mistakes; it’s part of being human. None of us have all the information upfront and life requires us to take risks every day.

When you realize a decision has gone wrong, look for the lessons in it:

• Did you notice red flags but chose to ignore them?
• Did your gut quietly warn you, but you pushed ahead anyway?
• Did the opportunity seem so good at first that you overlooked potential downsides?

Write down what you’ve learned and create a mental “best practices” list for the future. If you can correct any missteps now, do so. Then give yourself permission to move forward, knowing you’re wiser than you were before.

2. Practice Self-Compassion

It’s tempting to be your own harshest critic, I know I am of myself—but self-blame only deepens the hurt. Instead, speak to yourself the way you would to a dear friend: with patience, understanding and kindness. You can’t change the past, but you can choose to treat yourself gently in the present and take the lessons learned to do better in the future.

3. Reflect and Learn

Reflection turns regret into wisdom. Take time to understand what went wrong and why. This isn’t about dwelling on the negative; it’s about using the experience to make better choices in the future.

If your decision affected someone else, be sincere in explaining your intentions and, if needed, ask for forgiveness. Healing takes time, so give others the space they need.

I remember a painful financial decision I made years ago that caused my husband and me to lose a lot of money; money we didn’t have. He was incredibly gracious, encouraging me instead of blaming me—but I still struggled to forgive myself. It wasn’t until I sought God’s forgiveness, made amends and extended grace to myself that I truly felt free. Forgiveness—both from others and from yourself—breaks the cycle of shame and allows you to move forward in peace.

4. Take Positive Action

Once you’ve processed the mistake, shift into solution mode. Ask yourself: What can I do now to make this better?

Maybe it’s creating a recovery plan, setting new goals, or brainstorming fresh strategies with trusted friends or colleagues. Even business leaders face costly missteps, sometimes in the millions of dollars. The key is to accept the loss, take a deep breath and move forward with renewed focus.

Positive action turns you from a passive bystander into an empowered problem-solver.

5. Seek Support and Stay Connected

You don’t have to bounce back alone. Reach out to friends, family, or mentors who can encourage you and give perspective. Talking it out often lightens the load and reminds you that mistakes are a universal human experience. The worst thing to do is hold up by yourself in self-pity.

Also, make time for small, uplifting activities: take a walk, grab your favorite coffee, play with your pet, watch a movie that makes you laugh or spend some time with friends. These moments can reset your mindset and prepare you for your comeback. However your situation turns out, be good to yourself. Don’t live in the past and don’t stay down for long.

One of my favorite moments in Star Wars: The Mandalorian is when Luke Skywalker tells Grogu during a Jedi training session, “Get back up. Always get back up.” It’s a simple, but powerful reminder: resilience is a choice, and you can make it every single day.

Thanks for reading! Remember your set-back can be your come-back!