This election season, I stretched myself in ways I never had before. I wrote over a thousand postcards, attended local caucuses, fundraised for my candidates, and poured my heart and soul into supporting change. And yet, despite all the effort, the results left me feelingā¦defeated.
š¤ It got me thinking: where else in my life have I been putting in relentless effort but still feeling like itās not enough? Maybe in my career, my business, or other personal goals. These moments of defeat, if not handled well, can pull us into a victim mentality. Itās easy to feel like all the work, all the sacrifice, hasnāt paid off. Then emotions take over, making us want to give up, curl up underneath a pillow, and just let it go. Sound familiar? Youāre definitely not alone.
But hereās the mindset shift: leaders donāt give up.Ā Leaders keep showing up, learning, and adapting. Hereās how I move from āvictimā to āvictorā and stay focused on the bigger vision.
šØļø Get Out of Your BubbleItās easy to stay surrounded by people who think and feel like we do. But when things donāt turn out as planned, we realize just how valuable it is to step outside that comfort zone. Real growth starts when we expand our perspective and engage with our broader communities. Get involved, reach out, and get into action.
š Stay Vision-FocusedIn the face of defeat, itās crucial to remember your why.Ā When we stay connected to the vision, setbacks feel like just another part of the journey. Itās about the long game, and each setback is a step toward a bigger purpose.
š„ Celebrate Efforts, Not Just OutcomesLeaders recognize that showing upĀ matters. Even if things didnāt turn out as we hoped, having the courage to keep pushing forward is itself a victory. Reflect on the strength it took to get here and honor that.
Moving from defeat to āvictorshipā is about resilience, reframing, and recommitting. This time of year, as we dive into the busiest season, itās more important than ever to pause, reframe, and celebrate the progress weāve made. Take care of yourself, refuel, and get ready to get back into action stronger than before.
Hereās to pushing through, celebrating the journey, and showing up ready to kick some more š. Letās get back into victory mode! (Picture below of my husband and I at the Democratic Caucus in Salt Lake City, UT.
Gracias,
Shazzy Hardy
Founder

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