Leaders love to try out new ideas and concepts. They take risks and chase their dreams, blazing new trails along the way. As a leader you are going to have thoughts on what the future should look like. You will have hopes and dreams you will pursue.
Whatever it is you are hoping for, the truth is that as you step forward there will be times you will come up against resistance in the form of discouragement.
Discouragement is going to come on you when you fall short of a goal. It’s going to come in the form of negative comments by others that want to tear you down. It will come when the details don’t work as you had planned. Discouragement will wait for you in the shadow of failure. 
Things rarely work out the way we anticipate. Even those that have tasted success rarely have things work out in the way they thought.
As a young leader you are going to face discouragement. It’s par for the course. What can you do in moments of discouragement?
1. Perspective
Look at this moment against the back drop of your future. The discouragement of this moment is not dictating the rest of your life.
You still have a future and a hope. There are still many years left in your life. You will have more opportunity ahead of you. Don’t give up!
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2. Surround Yourself with Positive People
Surround yourself with good friends that will speak life into you. People that will come along side of you and help you see the hope that you have for the future.
You want to have peers that are cheerleaders. You will become like those you spend the most time with.
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3. Get a Mentor
You don’t have to walk this alone. You don’t need to have it all together and be the smartest person in the room. You don’t even have to be the smartest person you know!
In fact, try to never be the smartest person in the room. This gives you opportunities to grow and become a life-long leaner.
Find someone that has taken a few more trips around the mountain of life than you. Ask them to walk with you.
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4. Take a Break
Go for a walk, take a week off, go for a drive or just go and get some fresh air. You need to get away from familiar surroundings and experience something new. This will refresh you and in some ways take your mind off the discouragement.
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5. Saddle Up!
It’s time to move forward. Sure you have been beaten up or faced set backs, but all is not lost. With some perspective and refreshment it is time to get back to it and take a step forward.
You are only discouraged, not defeated. You can do this!
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Discouragement comes. It’s just a part of life. Discouragement is real and shouldn’t be discounted. I just don’t want to see discouragement stop you from pursuing your destiny. Next time discouragement moves in, evict it with these 5 ideas.
How do you defeat discouragement when it comes?
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