We’d all be better off if everything we hoped for or strove for resulted in fulfillment and success – but that wouldn’t be much of a life, either.

Disappointment is a natural part of life. There are plenty of failures to be had, things to let you down, and missteps to take. However, how you accept and deal with disappointment is within your control – and can make all the difference in the world.

On this episode of FranklinCovey Education’s Realiteen Talks, host and High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was joined by a panel of teenage guests to talk about the art of accepting disappointment.

The panelists agreed that mindset is everything. If you’re determined to wallow in disappointment and setbacks, growth can’t occur. However, if you choose to view every failure and disappointment as a chance to learn something that could help you grow and become a better human being, you’ll flourish.

Still, that’s easier said than done, particularly in what’s been a difficult year-plus for everyone.

The panelists offered some advice and lessons they’ve learned in dealing with disappointment, including searching for opportunity in every disappointment, accepting yourself and the results when you’re genuinely putting in your best effort, and understanding what’s truly “disappointing” and what actually came from unfair expectations on yourself or others.