“Believe you can and you’re half way there”. –Theodore Roosevelt
In these uncertain times we live in, change is rampant and inevitable. There are times in each of our careers when we take a fall and it’s hard to imagine getting back up. Jobs come and go, companies go out of business or need to make cuts and you might find yourself out of a job. Perhaps you didn’t get that promotion you were promised or are just having a hard time dealing with office politics or difficult colleagues. The old proverb—“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”—reminds us that when times get rough, the ones with a strong constitution rise above the challenges, and in many cases, even thrive .
The good news is that resilient people aren’t necessarily born with an innate ability to pull through the tough times. They are ordinary people who through time and experience have learned behaviours and attitudes that, even in times of uncertainty, enable them to keep going and prospering.
By learning to become more resilient and develop coping mechanisms you can bring new direction and energy to your career and even take advantage of the opportunities a major setback can present. Here are some strategies to help you recover quickly from a difficult situation:
Make lemonade! –When life hands you lemons, try to remain optimistic and have a positive outlook. Think of other times in which you thought a particular situation was hopeless. It didn’t stay that way, right? Things have a way of working themselves out—they either change, improve or you adapt. That’s the law of nature. Things don’t stay the same—they change, they evolve. Telling yourself that “this too shall pass” can help you gain the perspective you need to hang in there.
Build and rely on your network. Actively build a network of friends and peers and reach out to them for support and inspiration. Networking can also lead to new job opportunities and additional resources available to you, in addition to giving you a sense of belonging.
Learn a new skill. There is something very empowering about learning something new. Whether it’s a new skill related to your job or taking up yoga. Learning something new gets your brain working, builds confidence and can prepare you for your next career move.
Trust yourself. Many people fall down this rabbit hole way too often. They worry that they are not good enough or that they don’t know when their next salary will come. Their worries become their paralysis. Learn to trust your abilities and skills. If you have confidence in yourself, others will too.
Overall, seeing a setback as an opportunity for growth and to challenge yourself is a good start for becoming resilient. Who knows, something you consider to be a failure could just be what you need to open a clear path to start over, doing something that you love.
How have you recovered from an unexpected event at work? Are you still trying to find your way to your next career opportunity? Contribute to the conversation in the comments section below, and contact us to learn how we might help you discover your potential.