Things Successful People Do When Feeling Helpless

1. Acknowledge the Feeling, but Don’t Dwell on It

The first thing successful people do when they feel helpless is to acknowledge the emotion without allowing it to dominate their mindset. This involves recognizing the feeling without judgment and accepting that it's a natural human response. Successful people don’t ignore or repress these feelings but see them as a signal that something needs to change.

This approach is a form of self-compassion, which helps them avoid the trap of rumination and allows them to move forward more effectively.

2. Break Down Big Problems into Small, Manageable Steps

A feeling of helplessness often arises when faced with overwhelming situations or big challenges. Successful people counteract this by breaking down the issue into smaller, manageable steps. They focus on what they can control, even if it's just one small action. This helps them gain momentum, which reduces the feeling of helplessness and instills a sense of progress.

3. Seek Perspective

Successful people often seek perspective when feeling helpless. This might involve reaching out to mentors, friends, or colleagues for advice or simply taking a step back to evaluate the situation objectively. Seeing a problem from a different angle can provide new solutions or, at the very least, remind them that challenges are temporary.

Additionally, they may remind themselves of past situations when they felt similarly and successfully overcame them, reinforcing their confidence.

4. Reframe Negative Thoughts

It’s common to fall into negative thinking when feeling helpless, but successful people work to reframe these thoughts. Instead of seeing challenges as roadblocks, they view them as learning opportunities or stepping stones toward their goals. Reframing involves looking for potential positives, like lessons they might learn or new skills they could acquire.

This shift in perspective not only helps them manage stress but also transforms helplessness into a sense of possibility.

5. Take Care of Their Physical Well-Being

Emotional states are closely tied to physical health. Successful people understand the power of physical well-being in managing stress and helplessness. They might take a break to exercise, practice deep breathing, or even get a good night’s sleep to clear their mind. Exercise, in particular, is known to release endorphins, which naturally improve mood and boost resilience.

This habit ensures that their bodies and minds are in sync, enabling them to think more clearly and maintain energy levels that aid problem-solving.

6. Focus on the “Why” Behind Their Goals

Successful people tend to be deeply connected to their purpose, and this can act as an anchor during moments of helplessness. By reconnecting with the “why” behind their goals, they remind themselves of the bigger picture and the impact they want to make. This helps reignite their motivation and gives them the strength to push through challenging times.

This sense of purpose is often what allows them to weather setbacks and maintain a positive outlook, even in uncertain circumstances.

7. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Helplessness can make us feel “stuck” or unable to change the situation. Successful people counteract this by embracing a growth mindset — the belief that they can learn and grow from every experience. Instead of focusing on the limits of their current abilities, they ask themselves what they can learn from the situation.

This mindset helps them stay open to new possibilities and reinforces their confidence in their ability to handle adversity.

8. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful tool for shifting focus away from what’s going wrong to what’s still going right. Successful people often practice gratitude regularly, especially during challenging times. By focusing on the positive aspects of their lives, they lift their mood, increase resilience, and gain a sense of perspective.

This doesn’t mean ignoring problems, but rather balancing the challenges with recognition of the good. A simple exercise, like writing down three things they’re grateful for each day, can help cultivate this mindset.

9. Take Calculated Action

When feeling helpless, successful people avoid impulsive decisions and instead take calculated action. They assess their options, weigh the risks, and make a plan before moving forward. This approach helps them regain a sense of control and ensures that their response to helplessness is thoughtful and intentional.

Taking action, no matter how small, is often enough to shift their mindset from helplessness to empowerment.

10. Reflect and Learn from the Experience

Finally, successful people see challenges as opportunities to grow. Once they’ve worked through a situation, they take the time to reflect on what they’ve learned. They ask themselves questions like, “What did this experience teach me?” and “How can I apply this lesson in the future?”

This habit not only helps them move forward with more insight and self-awareness but also ensures they’re better prepared for similar situations in the future.

Feeling helpless is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be paralyzing. By adopting some of the habits that successful people use to manage helplessness, you can transform these moments into opportunities for growth and resilience. Whether it’s breaking down problems into manageable steps, focusing on gratitude, or reconnecting with your purpose, there are ways to navigate helplessness with strength and clarity.