We all experience disappointment every now and then, so it's valuable to know how to deal with it in a healthy way.

Most people frame disappointment as "loss" - a lost opportunity, a missed goal, an unrealized dream. Hey, I get that. I just experienced putting my all into something and didn't "win" what I wanted. Or what I THOUGHT I wanted.

At least not yet.

So I allowed myself time to feel human and yucky over that "loss."

Sigh.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda - all that. I gave it a good 24 hours of being weird to make sure that all of those feelings had bubbled to the surface.

Then, I got into Joyriding mode. I revisited the Planet Joyride Ahas. (I mean, HEY, if I’m not using these techniques that I’m always yapping about, I wouldn’t be a very good Joyrider, now would I?) I reminded myself – for starters – that I can choose how to feel, and that my thoughts, words, and actions affect my world. So unless I wanted a crappy world of disappointment, I’d better choose different. Time to Joyride!

You too?

Here’s how. Here is a technique I developed to transform yourself by stepping BACK:

• Be aware.
• Acknowledge.
• Choose.
• Kick into gear.

For example, if you have a bad experience and you find yourself saying “wow” or “(%@$^#&%!”, then step B-A-C-K:

1. Be aware of that wow. Don’t react. Just notice that this is a “wow” moment and know that you are officially on the first step of a joyride. (Some people think this “B” stands for "Buckle Up")

2. Acknowledge what you feel. That’s right. You can react now. Feel it. Wallow around in it. But don’t set up camp there. You won’t be there that long.

3. Choose to feel different. You may think your feelings choose you, and that they “just are”, but how you feel is a CHOICE. Choose different.

4. Kick into gear. Act on your choice. Do something that adds value to your life. (Some people think this “K” stands for "Kick Yourself in the Butt")

We all have challenges, that’s a given. This is a way to deal with those challenges and, regardless of the outcome, allows you to manage through the process and come out happier on the other side.

Why not enjoy the Ride?