How to Deal With Disappointment in Sports and Life

We’re dubbing it: Summer 2024 is the *official* Summer of Champions. Here at Well+Good, we’re shining a light on the amazing athletes, coaches, and stories behind the Paris Olympics and the U.S. Open tennis championships. Join us as we dive into the fitness routines, self-care practices, and cultural conversations inspired by this summer’s incredible events. See More Everyone faces setbacks and failures at some point. But for Olympic athletes, these losses can feel monumental. Despite this, many athletes find a way to bounce back, continue, and even succeed. One key to this resilience is learning how to deal with disappointment, according to Eric A. Zillmer, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and athletic director at Drexel University. While some may naturally have more resilience, we can all cultivate this trait. Enhancing resilience not only helps in sports but also in handling setbacks in various areas of life. Zillmer offers some tips for building resilience in athletes, which can be applied by anyone: 1. Take control of your thoughts: Change the narrative from failure to opportunity. 2. See failure as a learning experience, not a final judgment. 3. Break down your comeback into manageable steps. 4. Lean on your support system. 5. Remember why you started in the first place. 6. Focus on the process, not just the outcome. 7. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Seeking help from a therapist is also recommended if you’re struggling to cope with failure on your own. Remember, failure can ultimately lead to personal growth and success.