Surrounded by Setbacks

In Surrounded by Setbacks, internationally bestselling author Thomas Erikson turns his attention to a universal problem: what to do when things go wrong.

Too often it seems like our dreams and ambitions whether it’s finally getting that corner office, lacing up your running shoes again, or building a flourishing relationship with your partner are derailed by one roadblock or another. So how do we learn to take setbacks in stride and still achieve our goals?

In Surrounded by Setbacks, Erikson answers that question. Using simple, actionable steps, Erikson helps readers identify the “why” behind their goal, create a concrete plan towards achieving it, and most importantly avoid many of the most common pitfalls that derail us when we attempt something new. The simple 4 color behavior system that made Surrounded by Idiots revolutionary now helps readers reflect on how they respond to adversity, giving them the self awareness to negotiate the inevitable obstacles of life with confidence.

Introduction to the book Surrounded by Setbacks:

Sometimes it just happens. Things go bad. In a big way.

You’re about to celebrate your daughter’s graduation with a party in the backyard; the family has prepared for this for months, fifty guests have arrived, and suddenly the heavens open, the rain pours down, and the whole affair is ruined.

When you check the balance of the equity fund the bank recommended so highly and realize that your financial advisor really didn’t know more than you. Now you’re broke again.

When you realize that the presentation you’ve been working on for several weeks, the one that is going to catapult you directly to the corner office, was on the other USB stick.

When the house you’ve dreamed about since you were a kid finally comes on the market, but the bank says no.

When you’ve just reestablished contact with an old friend, only to learn that he only has six months left to live.

When you’re walking down the sidewalk one fine morning and happen to put your left shoe right into a pile of dog shit.

When your worst enemy in the company gets the top job you thought had your name on it.

When you just open your eyes in the morning and everything goes wrong.

Sometimes you feel as though you’re surrounded by setbacks, obstacles, and adversities. Little ones and big ones. And each time, you’re overwhelmed by a feeling of hopelessness.

You’ve picked up a book with a slightly depressing title. But this book isn’t really about setbacks. It’s about how you can deal with what you perceive as setbacks, and instead learn to achieve success. Life is what it is; it’s more a question of what you make of it than of what happens around you.

Like a wise person once said: it isn’t about what happens to you, but about how you deal with it.

This planet can be a tricky place to live. A wonderful place, too, but nevertheless a rather weird one. And we aren’t always great at adjusting to the circumstances.

Some people manage to get through life fairly well without serious damage, but nobody manages to completely avoid difficulties and setbacks. Some people only have to deal with minor irritations. And then there are those who get such a rough deal from life that it makes you wonder why the powers above don’t descend and give them a helping hand. They get hit so hard that you wouldn’t want anyone to suffer that way.

Despite unimaginable difficulties, some of these people do keep going. How? What is their secret? Why don’t they just lie down and give up? Somewhere I heard an expression that stuck in my mind: “If you find yourself in a rowboat way out at sea by all means say a prayer, but start rowing toward land at the same time.”

That’s a good approach to difficulties and setbacks in life. Sometimes you need to hope that it will get better, but you also need to act. And here we have one of the most important keys to dealing with setbacks and building your path toward success: you have to do something.