Setbacks are normal. Setbacks are not failures. Setbacks can be leveraged.
That sentiment is nice to keep in mind. During times of stress, it could be a mantra.
Today, accounting and finance professionals navigate relentless change and increased expectations, which makes setbacks feel more disruptive and, perhaps, more difficult to “reset.” But there’s always a way forward. To quote Candice Archibald Miller, MBA, “I don’t believe there’s anything you can’t recover from.”
Candice and two other experts — Cindy Miller, CEL, and Alex Romero, CPA, CGMA ¾ will speak during the May 2026 EPICenter webcast, The Leadership Mulligan: How to Reset and Thrive After Setbacks, and they are in agreement: When we recognize setbacks as a normal part of personal and professional growth, we can reset, regain confidence, and move forward.
Setbacks are disruptive, but manageable.
“A setback is something that changes the direction you’re moving in or stops you from moving forward,” Alex articulated.
Your colleague got the promotion you wanted. You didn’t pass a section of the CPA Exam. These examples are not personal failures, but rather a situation that didn’t go according to your hopes or plans.
You’re allowed to be upset. It’s healthy to acknowledge your feelings, and feeling disappointed is normal. Avoid reacting immediately, but if you would like feedback from your employer about why you were passed over for a promotion, for example, make sure to communicate professionally and have a structured conversation.
Tip: Use the 24-hour rule to cool off before you engage in a difficult conversation.
“When you trip up, make a mistake, or don’t achieve a result you were seeking, it can be disheartening,” said Cindy. When plans don’t go as expected, it’s normal to feel discouraged, and it’s healthy to sit with that emotion for a spell.
“Setbacks can make you stronger if you pause, own the feeling, and don’t run away from it. Then, determine your next step forward,” Alex advised.
Taking time to reflect — and, possibly, to literally look in the mirror, vocalizing statements such as, “I can do better. I want to do better” — opens you up to learning from the setback.“ It’s hard work [to look within] but the growth possibilities are endless,” Cindy stated.
Candice observed: “In my younger years, I would say things to myself like, ‘Failure is not an option.’ What I’ve come to find out is that’s not reality; it’s more so what you do with a setback. You can’t control other people or circumstances; what’s key is how you react.”
Mindfulness accelerates resilience building.
“On the surface, something may seem like it didn’t go according to plan. But when the unplanned situations happen, can you work through the problems and find another way? If you have the grit to persevere, you can be very successful in whatever you choose,” Candice noted.
What appears to be a loss could be a win in the long run.
“If you hear ‘no,’ it’s not a no forever. It’s just a no for right now. There will be another time and other opportunities in your future.” Alex Romero, CPA, CGMA
You can build confidence in your ability to reset, regain momentum, and lead effectively under pressure. But it takes practice and mindfulness.
“Learning to trust yourself comes with experience and with practice. The more you experience, the more you get comfortable with the uncomfortable,” Candice said.
Cindy continued: “People might be afraid and don’t believe that they can move forward. Our fears can become ingrained perceptions that grow to be bigger than reality. Sometimes you have to stop and realize, ‘My viewpoints could be wrong,’ so you can then be open to the possibility that your belief is limiting you. Instead of protecting, it might be time to pursue your goals. Move forward with confidence.”
“Fear can become a self-imposed roadblock to protect ourselves,” Candice elaborated. “It could be a voice in your head that says, ‘You can’t do that. You’re not qualified to do X, Y, or Z.’ Lean into that to understand why you hear that voice. Are you trying to protect yourself? If yes, from what? And then, how you can move beyond that roadblock?”
Alex echoed that: “A common self-imposed roadblock is fear. Or not wanting to look inexperienced. But it’s fine to not know everything — no one does! Being confident enough to show humility and ask questions is a strength. Saying, ‘I want to run this by you before I move forward,’ demonstrates a commitment to alignment and thoughtful decision-making.”
Each setback provides an opportunity to learn. Mistakes are a tool for growth. Resiliency can be cultivated. And it’s important to be patient with yourself and practice kind self-talk along the way.
Sometimes we also self-impose expectations. For example, we might assert, “I want to earn over 100K by my fifth year.”
“Goals and aspirations are great, but if you don’t reach them, don’t shut down,” Alex said, “When you make a mistake, own it. Don’t give up. And don’t lie. Be open and honest. People will remember your integrity more than the error you made.”
Experience‑based guidance for resetting after a setback
“What’s helpful to realize is that if you can look in the mirror every time you make a mistake, you can learn from it,” Cindy noted and then advised, “Know yourself. Become your own project.”
Make time for reflection and be kind to yourself.
“Keep trying. Stay open to new ideas and new projects. If you hear ‘no,’ it’s not a no forever. It’s just a no for right now. There will be another time and other opportunities in your future,” Alex imparted.
Join us for an hour of insight and 1 CPE credit on Friday, May 29, 11am–noon ET for The Leadership Mulligan: How to Reset and Thrive After Setbacks, part of the EPICenter webcast series.
About the experts
Cindy Miller, CEL, is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and founder of OWN IT Academy. As a Certified Behavior, Motivation, and Emotional Intelligence Professional, member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Professionals Hall of Fame, and former LPGA Tour player, her expertise combines competitive sports psychology, behavioral science, and real-world business performance. For more than four decades, Cindy has educated, coached, and inspired individuals and teams who work in the public and private sector and across business and industry.
Candice Archibald Miller, MBA, is founder of Miller Advisory Group. A fractional officer and leader, and certified business development coach, Candice is passionate about empowering legal professionals to achieve their goals. Her areas of expertise include management, leadership, strategy development and execution, process improvement and efficiency, management consulting, and business development. Candice has a master’s degree in business administration, an undergraduate degree in accounting, and green belt certification in Lean Six Sigma.
Alex Romero, CPA, CGMA is Director — CPA Pipeline, at the the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants®, where she leads initiatives to grow and strengthen the CPA profession's talent pipeline. With nearly two decades of experience in accounting, leadership, and professional education, Alex brings a unique perspective shaped by both public accounting and executive roles in government. She began her career as an auditor before serving as chief financial officer of a public library district and director of finance for the City of Pueblo, Colorado. Alex holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Colorado State University. Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with honors including AICPA & CIMA’s Global Women to Watch (2025) and the AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award (2022). She is also a 2019 AICPA Leadership Academy graduate with extensive experience as an AICPA volunteer, including service as an at-large Council member and Emerging Professional Initiative Committee Past Chair.
About the Emerging Professionals Initiatives Committee
The mission of the Emerging Professionals Initiatives Committee (EPIC) is to actively promote and support accounting and finance professionals through leadership programs, professional development resources, and volunteer opportunities. Please reach out to Lexi Weber, CPA, Senior Manager — Emerging Professionals Initiatives with any questions.