Disappointment Doesn't Have to Sabotage Your Goals

Fueled: Conversations in Kelsi's Kitchen

In this episode, I share a personal story from a recent CrossFit experience that left me feeling deeply discouraged. This moment of disappointment sparked deeper reflection on the nature of unmet expectations and how they can influence our mindset and progress. Drawing from Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, we explore disappointment as the emotional result of unmet expectations and how the significance of those expectations can amplify the feeling.

We break down what it means to experience disappointment and how clarifying and expressing expectations can change the way we deal with it. We discuss how to recognize and examine expectations, making sure they’re realistic and communicated clearly. From there, we explore practical strategies for managing disappointment, reframing it as valuable feedback instead of failure, and shifting focus from unmet expectations to the progress made.

We also dive into the difference between discomfort and sabotage—how to make disappointment uncomfortable without letting it become debilitating. We explore the importance of resilience and mental toughness, recognizing that setbacks are temporary and don’t define the overall journey. Finally, we focus on moving forward, emphasizing the importance of consistency over perfection, celebrating small wins, and practicing self-compassion. Ultimately, disappointment doesn’t have to sabotage your progress; instead, it can become a stepping stone toward greater success.