If you’ve ever faced a major disappointment—whether in business, your career, or your personal life—you’re far from alone. On the latest episode of the I Heart My Life Show, host Emily Williams and her husband (and business partner) James dive deep into one of the most important skills for anyone with ambitious goals: bounce-back ability—or what they call the art of resilience.

Why “Bounce-Back Ability” Matters

As entrepreneurs and high-performing leaders themselves, Emily and James have seen firsthand that the most successful people aren’t always the smartest or most experienced. Instead, they’re the ones who recover quickly from failure, disappointment, or things not going to plan. “Disappointment is part of leadership,” James reminds us in the episode. The real question is: How long do you want to stay there?

The Human Side of Resilience

Emily shares candidly about her own journey—how in the early days, setbacks would take her out for days (or sometimes even a week). Over time, she’s learned it’s not about avoiding failure or shutting down your emotions—it’s about giving yourself permission to feel disappointment but not letting it define you. “There’s nothing wrong with you. But there are tools and a plan and a framework that you can use to support yourself,” she says.

James points out the flip side, especially for men: holding in emotion can lead just as surely to burnout and stagnation. The message across the board? You have to let yourself feel, process, and then choose to move forward intentionally.

A Simple Framework for Bouncing Back

The heart of the episode is a practical framework anyone can use the next time life throws a curveball:

1. Acknowledge the Emotion:
When disappointment or failure strikes, don’t judge it. “Just observe,” Emily says. “Get curious.” Sometimes, just saying, “I acknowledge I feel disappointed,” can be immensely powerful.

2. Reconnect with Your Purpose:
Ask yourself: “Why did I care about this so much in the first place?” Remembering your deeper “why” helps redirect your energy, turning even your biggest challenges into valuable learning experiences or stories that might help others.

3. Give Yourself a Reactivation Window:
Rather than wallowing or ignoring what happened, create a concrete plan for how long you’ll process the setback (it might be 24 hours, 72 hours, or two weeks if it’s a big one) and then decide what action to take next.

Chronic Disappointment and the Myth of Constant Achievement

The discussion also touches on chronic disappointment—that state of never really feeling satisfied, no matter how much you achieve. Emily confides that happiness once felt elusive to her, and many high performers can relate.

Their advice? If you’re constantly pushing for the next thing without gratitude or joy along the way, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. It’s possible to be both “on top and trusting”—powerful and purpose-driven, but also soft and open. As James beautifully puts it, “Resilience isn’t about being unaffected by results. It’s being unshakable.”

The Takeaway: Resilience Is a Skill—And You Can Build It

No matter your background or starting point, resilience is a learnable skill. It’s not a superpower granted at birth, nor does it mean you need to be cold or emotionless. In fact, emotions can be your fuel—as long as you learn how to process and redirect them.

Ultimately, success belongs to those who recover quickly—who get back up, reset, and go again. If you’re ready to build your own bounce-back ability, Emily and James’s episode is packed with stories, practical steps, and the reminder that everything you desire is possible—especially when you build the tools to weather any storm.

Ready to get even more out of your setbacks?
Emily and James offer breakthrough sessions and a free Dream Life guide for listeners seeking clarity and support. Head over to iheartmylife.com/guide or thegrowthedge.com/book to learn more and start building your own bounce-back toolkit.