What do you do if your career advancement is hindered by obstacles and setbacks?

If you are facing hindrances in career advancement due to setbacks and obstacles, it's time to assess reality. You should look for solutions with a positive mindset and evaluate why these setbacks and obstacles are occurring. - Is it the nature of the businesses - organisational challenges, - or a need for skills enhancement? - Perhaps you are working in a flat hierarchy organization. Assess the situation to identify the correct challenges and then develop an action plan. Anyone can face such situations, but with proper planning and expert guidance if needed, you can overcome from the situation. You can enhance your career as per your career planning and goal.

Before jumping into solving it right way, consider spending good amount of time understanding "WHY" is your career advancement hindered? 1. Could it be a skill gap? 2. Are you lacking visibility among leadership? 3. Is your personal brand not strong or not resonating, that's causing you to miss out on opportunities? 4. Are there external factors that are out of your control? 5. Do you lack the proper support systems (mentors, coaches) to help you? etc. Only once you identify your 'why', you can then start to craft a strategy for your career advancement. Otherwise you'll be trying a whole lot of things and burning out.

Career advancement is a long path, so acknowledge and celebrate your milestones, big or small along the way. This will keep you motivated. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you; friends, family, mentors; their support is a game-changer. But remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Make sure you prioritize your well-being with healthy habits and stress management. Advancement takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent. Finally, embrace the journey of learning and growing in your career, it can be just as rewarding as reaching the final destination.

How, I, Stephen Underwood, face career setbacks? I lean into my global peacemaker ethos: embracing obstacles as lessons. Each setback refines my approach, enriching my journey toward global harmony. Being persistent and driven by the conviction that each obstacle is vital to fostering enduring peace and comprehension in any career path that one may choose that brings fulfillment and purpose and fulfills the plan for their life as a career professional, especially in the executive leadership position. As in the quoted words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands during times of comfort and complacency, but the ultimate measure of a man is where he stands during times of challenge and controversy.

Obstacles and setbacks are all part of life. We all have encountered them many times. Beginning in school from elementary through college. We setbacks in different relationships growing up and as adults. We have setbacks while learning skills in your first job and numerous other jobs along the way. It is a part of life. How do you overcome setbacks and maneuver around obstacles... be yourself and believe in yourself. Don't become someone that is not you. Living and leading from your heart shows you are genuine. This is nothing that you can fake... people will see right through you. Know what you believe and why you believe it, and you will go as far as you want to go.

I recognize that struggle and setbacks are normal and should be used to create space for assessment, reflection, and flexibility and openness to pivot if necessary. This must means it's time to dig deeper and see if I need to learn more where I am, if God still needs me to do something in that space, or if it's time for me to ditch my comfort zone and launch out into something else. When I remain positive I am able to determine the next move with better clarity and less stress.

To begin with, obstacles and difficulties are a normal part of life; whether in private or personal situations. Career stagnation is not an obstacle as it is suggested, but a personal matter. This might be the result of lack of intrest in the choosen career because or one has outgrown the original passion for it. That's when the reflection and honest realization can allow the rest of the chain to kick in and either overcome career fatigue or the start of a new one. It's important to be clear about the origin of any difficulty we encounter. Some are outside of ourselves but some are not. Start there.

Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any career journey. Maintain a positive attitude and perseverance in the face of challenges. Use setbacks as learning opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient. Don't hesitate to seek support from friends, family, or professional counsellors if you're feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Surround yourself with a supportive network that can provide encouragement and guidance during difficult times.