6 Ways to Overcome a Career Defeat and Bounce Back Stronger
Recovering from professional setbacks can be difficult.
This article was originally published on HuffPost.
From a job offer that never comes to the loss of a long-time client, at some point, everyone will have to cope with disappointment in their career. There’s no sugarcoating it; a professional disappointment is painful. Some react by getting mad, becoming defensive and pointing fingers. Others internalize failure and become deflated. Depending on the situation, you may even be worried about your job security. Whatever your initial reaction, what matters most is how you process the reality and move forward. Here are six ways to career defeat and come back stronger.
Give Yourself Time to Be Upset – But Not Too Much
You’ve just received a blow and it will take awhile to recover. Although you deserve time to vent, wallow and feel upset, put an expiration date on it. At a certain point, it’s no longer helpful to complain. Redirect your energy into planning your next steps.
Keep Some Perspective
Being fired or passed over for a promotion can leave you with sharp feelings of rejection. Remember that in some cases it may not matter how hard you work, how skilled you are or how good your intentions, factors beyond your control may determine the outcome. As one executive recently put it, “To my employer, I’m a business decision.” This is why she decided to invest in additional education and eventually found another business opportunity. Your self-defeating mindset limits your potential.
