Here's how you can maintain motivation and positivity after career setbacks.

I had a candidate who was up for a big role that she had identified as "the perfect job" for her. She built her expectations so high that when they passed on her for another candidate, she was crushed. (I'd love to talk in another post about how we can prevent "idealizing" prospective potential jobs in the job search process to minimize the roller coaster emotions that jobseekers experience.) I encouraged her to let go of "false positivity" and to first be honest with the disappointment, anger and frustration she was experiencing. She doesn't like to write so she tried audio journaling. Once she had been honest about her feelings, we had cleared the space for positive forward momentum.

Acknowledge your disappointment but don't personalise it. When things go wrong in our career we often make it mean we are the problem and forget all the great things we've done previously. Feel your feelings but don't use them as a weapon against your own self confidence. Whatever the set back focus on a way forward. Setbacks are honestly an opportunity to learn and course correct. I was told at my first ever career change interview I wasn't suited to recruitment or HR and should stick to teaching. I cried practically the whole day, then remembered one opinion is just ONE opinion and I could believe it or keep going (thankfully I did the latter) Career setbacks are normal how you move after is the decider!

One of my clients overcame her career setback just by committing to one action in 2 weeks: journaling with her emotions. With a young and dynamic woman like her, career setback was something hard to accept but when she realized that she could accept one thing (a “bad” emotion), other uncomfortable statuses about the setback disappeared.

For example, if you resign or are made redundant: You should then take enough time out to come to terms with the past, both emotionally and rationally. And for those who are worried: gaps of up to around six months in your CV need no explanation. Gaps in your CV are normal. You are not alone in this. The future HR manager reading your CV has probably also experienced a career change and a "gap" in his/her own CV.

After a career setback, it's easy to feel discouraged. But remember, setbacks are a normal part of any career journey. Here are some tips to stay motivated and positive: 1. Reframe your mindset: Find the silver lining and use the setback as an opportunity for growth. 2. Set new goals: Use the setback as a catalyst to set new, achievable goals. 3. Seek support: Reach out to your network for support and guidance. 4. Practice self-care: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. 5. Stay positive: Surround yourself with positivity and focus on what you can control. Remember, setbacks are temporary and you have the power to shape your own career path. Stay motivated and keep moving forward.

Know what the market standards are reaserach talk to people who are experts or have done it before. And then set some goals and be open to pivot and revisit as needed, dont beat yourself to it, but do set a process and follow it through. Give it enough time to show results.

Setback is never a pleasure, but it is also important part of the career development process. It shows you what works, what doesn't. You can adjust the strategy, change it, make it more efficient. Set realistic goals, be specific, choose some timeline and the way that you will achieve them.

Es cierto que hy que establecer metas realistas, pero no viene mal forzar la maquina y so?ar un poco, por lo que las metas sugiero que sean fijadas con algun condimento extra. Esta situacion siempre genera la posibilidad de dar un poco mas de lo habitual. So?ar es parte del desarrollo profesional.

Setting realistic goals is crucial for sustainable progress. Break down larger objectives into manageable steps. Ensure they're specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Celebrate small victories along the way to maintain motivation and momentum. Adjust goals as needed based on feedback and changing circumstances, staying focused on steady progress toward success.

Uma estratégia que funciona bem, quando temos metas ousadas e dividi-las em pequenas metas, fazer o planejamento para cada pequena meta até chegar no t?o sonhado objetivo. Ah! E n?o esque?a de comemorar cada conquista.

Career setbacks, such as missing out on a well-earned promotion or experiencing reduced pay post-maternity leave, can be challenging. It's vital to stay composed by seeking help. Connect with a career transition coach, reach out to supportive former colleagues, and enroll in relevant courses to upskill. Remember, setbacks are temporary and can be stepping stones to greater opportunities. By seeking support and actively investing in your development, you're empowering yourself to navigate through challenges and emerge stronger in your career journey. Stay resilient and keep moving forward.

We all need help at some point in our lives. It’s not shameful to ask for help. Wisdom does not reside in the mind of an individual. When we share our experience with the right person it goes a long way in helping us to understand we are not alone and we have people ready to support us.

My advice here will be to remember that setbacks are not indicative of failure, but rather opportunities for growth. When facing a career setback, it's important to maintain a positive mindset and seek support from your network. Don't hesitate to reach out to mentors, colleagues, or a professional career coach for guidance and perspective. They can offer valuable insights, encouragement, and practical strategies to help you navigate the challenges and emerge stronger on your career path. Remind yourself constantly that you're not alone in facing setbacks, and seeking support can make the journey much more manageable and rewarding.

Seeking support is essential during challenging times. Reach out to friends, family, mentors, or professional networks for encouragement and guidance. Sharing your struggles can provide emotional relief and perspective, while receiving advice and support from others can offer fresh insights and solutions. Remember, you don't have to navigate setbacks alone - lean on your support system to help you through difficult times.

I always tell this to all my clients migrants and international students. It can’t be done ALONE. You need GOD/Universe/Faith (whatever suits you) AND Build a good support system.

We only learn by taking action and getting feedback from that. And when things don't go how we want, most times, the "failure" doesn't set us back as far as we would be had we not tried at all. Keep learning and failing forward. All those lessons are valuable!

De todas las vivencias y experiencias se aprende, ahora de los errores seguramente podemos aprender mucho mas que de los aciertos. Cuando se presentan este tipo de situaciones, como bien se apunta, se debe analizar lo que paso y el porque, pero tambien debemos sumar el entorno, y las circunstancias, de manera tal que tengamos la posibilidad de crecimiento.

Agreed - if you are bitterly disappointed with missing out, it can be hard to see this initially but to do so means the effort in going for it was worth it to learn from the experience.

Où est le cadeau ? C'est la première question à se poser face à l'échec. Cela permet de se rappeler qu'un bel avenir sera là, plus tard. Et de gagner ainsi la possibilité de revenir sur l'échec vécu, d'analyser, et de tirer les enseignements. Une règle absolue : s'arrêter avant tout sur sa propre responsabilité individuelle dans cet échec. En effet, aller pointer la responsabilité des autres ne garantira pas le progrès pour soi. Remettre en question sa pratique pour l'améliorer sans cesse est un gage d'évolution positive continue.

Think of each setback as a secret weapon in disguise. Give yourself a moment to really dig into what went wrong and why. This isn't just about troubleshooting—it's about arming yourself with knowledge that can prevent the same hurdles in the future. Remember, adaptability isn't just a buzzword; it's the skill that keeps you evolving and thriving no matter what gets thrown your way. By learning from these bumps in the road, you're not just recovering, you're becoming a more resilient and flexible professional. These are the qualities that make you stand out in the crowd and will propel you forward in your career journey.

Es lo mas importante tener una postura y vision positiva, internamente debemos querernos, valorarnos, apreciarnos, para que eso podamos trasmitir al mundo exterior. Comparto una vivencia, todas las ma?anas cuando estaba listo para salir a trabajar, me miraba al espejo y me decia, ¨cada dia que pasa estoy mas buen mozo¨

Avoid Complaining/Blaming Get enough sleep Engage in regular exercise Maintain a balanced diet All of the above is needed to keep the chin up and staying Positive.

When facing career setbacks, how do you maintain a positive mindset? Here are 3 ideas that my client use: 1) Create and keep an "evidence journal" documenting past challenges with the opportunities and lessons learned. Reflecting on how you overcame previous obstacles can build resilience. Though positivity may be difficult now, reviewing your growth can help your optimism during tough times. 2) Create a mantra to repeat when things get tough, e.g. "I can do hard things", "I'm capable or achieving success", "I'm resilient throughout challenges." 3) Reframe the situation. Many people who've had career setbacks have moved their careers forward-Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordon, Steve Jobs, etc. This is your opportunity to make changes.

Un simple petit carnet peut changer votre vie. Chaque fin de journée, sur 3 colonnes, vous notez chaque soir ce dont vous êtes fier pour la journée accomplie, ce que vous n'avez pas réussi, et ce que vous devez améliorer. Une fois par semaine, vous relisez. A la fin de l'année, vous serez étonné de votre capacité à rester positif : en effet, commencer par noter ce que vous avez réussi, et constater les progrès que vous aurez accompli (parce que vous avez écrit, vous aurez plus de probabilité d'avoir tenu vos axes de progrès) vous permettra de garder un état d'esprit positif.

Staying positive is extremely important at this stage. Keep a growth and positive mindset to navigate during this difficult period. Always remember the best is yet to come.

When I made my career pivot, I had to remember that WHO I am is not only about WHAT I have done. This was especially difficult because I was known for being really good at my craft. Remembering this is much more difficult when you’re “down and out” and your self confidence has taken a hit. Doing other things that you’re good at is a great balance. Even if it’s not professionally related, building confidence in other areas will bleed into your thinking. Find a new hobby or just get practice learning something new or putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. All of this balance will ground you and build resiliency during a search. We’ve all been there so remembering I was not alone helped me too.

Have you noticed how we always talk about work-life balance? It's almost as if we say one is bad and the other good; though we need both. What's important to create balance in your life is to value yourself and your time enough to give space to loved ones, hobbies, interests - hence I prefer saying 'work-leisure balance'. They're both part of life. When you have life outside work, you will naturally be able to cope much better with a setback at work. You have people to speak to, laugh with, and plan your new adventure! And you have people who keep you motivated and help you stay positive as you navigate those challenging times. With hindsight, I wish I had paid more attention to my out-of-work life...but now that's thriving!

In reality, your career should not define ANY of your self-worth. I know that sounds crazy, but you are not your career, your title, your position, or your paycheck. You are a uniquely created individual that is worthy of love, honor, and respect no matter what challenges you are facing or what stage of your career you are in. Learning to to think of yourself in this way (that you have immense value simply because you are a human being) can help you overcome feelings of discouragement, resentment, and frustration that keep you from trying to press forward. This is not to say that career growth and achieving goals are not important. They are important -- they just are not who you are.

Identity in our careers is huge. It’s good to have but bad if it consumes you. Years ago, I let this happen and was lost for years when I took time off. Set boundaries between work, God, health, family, self. Then when one of those struggles, you still have other areas to fall back on until you build success again

Reflect on the lessons learnt and see the setback as a catapult to your next level. The sling of the catapult is pulled back first before it is released to hit the target. The setback will give you a great comeback if you don't give up. Remember how the catapult works!

Losing a job is hard, not being promoted or recognised can be a humbling experience and not getting paid your worth is also bad for your confidence. Also, the workplace gives us structure and a place to feel valued. Once you have given yourself time to grieve you will probably see the path ahead, find purpose and be stronger than before. Work through the process, hug yourself and look back. In hindsight it will all be worth it.

If you are in a place where you're not enjoying where you are, remind yourself why you're here. Is it a necessary step towards your end goal? Sometimes, we need to go through challenging situations that will equip us with what it takes to reach our end goals.

From experience: 1. Reflect and Appreciate yourself: Reflect on your journey and acknowledge how far you've come. Some setbacks may not be your fault; if they are, learn from them and be kind to yourself. Staying in a low state won't improve anything. If you need to cry, let it out and get the relief you need. 2. Seek Support from Friends: Talk to close friends and enjoy their hugs and gifts if offered. You deserve to be loved, even in the face of setbacks. 3. Find Inspiration: Draw inspiration from those around you and create positive affirmations to lift your spirit. Get sticky notes and paste them around so you can see them from time to time. I love sticky notes. 4. Take Action: Get up, set new goals, and smash them!

As a practitioner of Stoicism and its pragmatic philosophy, I only emphasize that we must accept what we cannot control and practice temperance when faced with ups and downs, as they will exist. Motivation and optimism are mental states that we can achieve by visualizing ourselves taking action and achieving our career goals and vision of what we want for our professional life.